Introducing Candy Apple, the groundbreaking double red ITOH peony developed by breeder Don Smith, now available in the market. Vibrantly red like a delectable candy apple, this distinct plant boasts a perfectly round shape with flowers elegantly perched on stems close to the leaves, creating a harmonious, rounded appearance. Ideal as foundation or middle-of-the-border plants, Garden Candy® ITOH peonies, including Candy Apple, showcase 4-6″ wide flowers adorned with rich crimson petals that endure for weeks. Come fall, the foliage transitions to a rich maroon hue, providing an additional season of visual interest. Rest assured, Candy Apple, a Garden Candy® peony, is mildew-resistant, simplifying its care requirements.
This specific variety, like all introductions in the Candy Series by Don Smith, has been propagated through tissue culture, an innovative method for replicating peonies. One major advantage of this technique is the rapid production of exact replicas of the parent plant. Traditional methods like grow and divide can take years before new varieties are available in the market. Although the roots of these tissue-cultured peonies may appear smaller compared to traditional peony roots, they are packed with numerous eyes, ensuring a strong foundation for their growth and development.
