I bought a new plant, new in the sense that I have never grown it before. I planted it with special care and watched it grow, being careful to water and weed and mulch. I spoke to it regularly and lovingly. I grew excited when buds appeared and began to swell. Yesterday I saw the first hint of color as the buds were about to burst.

This morning I went out to look at my new baby, and there she was…and she was beautiful. I saw my ‘Keiko’ Itoh peony blossoms for the first time. For certain it wasn’t the same as the first time I saw the beautiful faces of my newly born daughters, but it reminded me of those happy days. Welcoming a new plant into the garden involves much of the same emotions…dreams, planning, expectation, anticipation, and real joy when the little blossoms burst forth.

Itoh peony ‘Keiko’