Thunderbolt
The yellow anthers set off the dark colored petals, making for a pleasing flower. I would likely choose this one as my favorite peony of the Black Pirate group. It is not as dark as ‘Corsair’ or ‘Black Douglas’. The colors of the stigmas, filaments, and sheath can be used to distinguish it from ‘Black Pirate’. Unfortunately the flowers tend to hang down.
It has pollen and is in the parentage of ‘Hephestos’ (Daphnis, 1977).
| Cultivar: | Thunderbolt |
| Year: | 1948 |
| Seedling No: | 13014 |
| Group: | Black Pirate |
| Flower: | Color: | very dark crimson/maroon; no noticeable flares |
| Form: | single, two rows of petals, 10-13 | |
| Blooms: | Week 5 | |
| Carpels: | 4, green | |
| Stigmas: | bright dark pink | |
| Sheath: | dark red (“blackish-purple-Reath and Saunders) | |
| Stamens: | filaments dark red | |
| Plant: | Habit: | wide rounded bush |
| Foliage color: | medium green | |
| Foliage form: | slightly more narrow than most | |
| Height: | 34″ on 8 year plant | |
| Recommendation: | Recommended especially if you like dark colors |
| Availability: | Few nurseries specializing in woody peonies |