Firelight
This is a distinctive peony which cannot be confused with any of Saunders’ other introductions! Yay! It is one of the quadruple hybrids produced late in Saunders’ career, many of which have unique coloration and are among his most unique and interesting peonies. Very round flower. The flares become more obvious as the flower fades, so no two photos of ‘Firelight’ seem to be the same.
Cultivar: | Firelight |
Year: | 1950 |
Seedling No: | 16220. |
Parentage: | 28: lactiflora X (officinalis X (mlokosewitschii X macrophylla)) |
Flower: | Color: | rose pink with darker flares |
Form: | single, 12 petals (registered as semi-double) | |
Blooms: | Week 4 | |
Carpels: | 2-4, pale green, woolly | |
Stigmas: | dark rose pink | |
Disc: | white, obscure | |
Stamens: | filaments light yellow | |
Plant: | Habit: | rounded bush |
Foliage color: | medium green | |
Foliage form: | very narrow with edges infolded | |
Height: | 29-32″ (reported); 20″ in 2021 on a recently moved plant | |
Recommendation: | Highly recommended |
Availability: | Many specialty nurseries |