CARL’S CALLING

(Formerly #101-SC)

DESCRIPTION:

Carl’s Calling has large, lavender semi-double blooms, with dark purple basal flares. As the flowers mature they fade through to a pleasing creamy white. It’s overall appearance reminds us of classic variety “Kamata Fuji” but blooms are somewhat smaller and more tightly petaled. Also, the color leans more toward lavender than the color on Kamata Fuji.

Carl’s Calling is very cold tolerant. For 6 years it was planted in a cold and windy micro-climate and, though we sometimes lost some of the buds to late frost, we always still had a good crop of flowers. Further the plant itself continued to grow and thrive.

For us, Carl’s Calling has remained under 3’ tall. However it may grow taller in warmer climates.

Carl’s Calling is fragrant and easily produces both pollen and seed.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME

“Carl’s Calling” is named in memory of a reader’s father - Carl Barney.

Just like any peony starting out on our farm has to navigate extreme weather, Carl saw some pretty tumultuous times early on his life.

Carl’s mother died in childbirth leaving Carl and his brothers to be raised in an orphanage. Carl then went to serve in the Army and then - during WW2 - enlisted in the Navy.

After the war, Carl married Franny (after whom we’ve name the variety “Forever Franny”) and went on to have three children - 2 of whom are avid gardeners to this day.

We dedicate Carl’s Calling to Carl Barney - for a life well lived!

PLAN FOR INTRODUCTION

We intend to offer own-root divisions of Carl’s Calling in the July 2021 catalog.

Divisions will be 1-year old and will not have nurse roots.