TIL a specific flower fact from a local grower

I was chatting with a grower at the Raleigh market who said peonies need at least 400 hours of winter chill under 40 degrees to bloom well. Has anyone else had to explain this to a client wanting peonies in a warm climate?

4 comments

4 Comments

phoenix_grant1mo ago

Trying to explain that to someone in Florida would be a lost cause. Might as well tell them their palm tree needs a good snowball fight to fruit.

amy_martin1mo ago

But what would you even tell them to do with the snowball?

margaret7361mo ago

Honestly, I'm from Florida and I'd probably still try it. My gardening skills are so bad I once overwatered a cactus. At this point, throwing a snowball at a palm tree seems like a solid next step in my plant care journey.

the_oliver17d ago

Wait, what if the real trick is to dig up the peonies each winter and store them in a fridge for a few weeks to fake that cold spell? A buddy of mine tried it with some bulbs in South Carolina and got decent results the next spring. A lot of work, but beats trying to explain winter chill to a client who thinks 50 degrees is freezing.