There I was, wandering around the around the other week, when I noticed a peony bud on a plant I did not remember planting. This is not that unusual, I plant a lot and even though I will make a note in my garden journal, my day to day brain does not always retain the information so I can get surprises.
When I looked at her closely the bud looked rather yellow. Yellow peony I thought, I have no memory of planting you at all. I wonder if it is Molly the Witch who is more formally known as Paeonia mlolosewitchii. This gave me something to hunt through my memory with. Did I remember buying Molly - no, I am pretty sure I have not bought one. Then I wondered if I had collected some seed on my travels. You know when seeds have dropped to the ground, I might have picked a couple up .... maybe..... I would never take a seed head or anything attached to a plant for that is extremely bad manners - but a seed on the ground feels more harmless. Maybe this is one of those seeds that take so long to germinate and then when I have planted it out into the garden I have promptly forgotten. Maybe.
She continues to open, I am now getting pretty sure this is Molly. How exciting. I continue to wonder her origin story in my garden. Could this be a peony seedling that someone else has given me? This is totally possible too, this could be even more likely.
and then the final big reveal. I am now certain this is Molly the Witch, an early flowering very hardy peony.
I admire her daily as the flower is lasting a long time, this too is pleasing. She is a great addition to my garden and I am so glad I added her despite having no memory of doing so.
Take care and be kind.
