Lady Gay

This is one of the quadruple hybrids introduced late in Saunders’ career.  It bears some similarity to ‘Athena’ which also has prominent flares, but it blooms much earlier than ‘Athena’ and is more ruffled.  Perhaps as one of the first peonies to bloom, I appreciate it more than its sibling, as do several other collectors. It should be more widely grown.

I’ve also received the same plant under the name ‘Rushlight’. Buyer beware!