A fine time to plant peonies

• World demand is high for Alaska’s late-blooming crop
By Naomi Klouda
Homer Tribune

Daisy Lee

Daisy Lee Bitter is among a blooming number of peony growers in Homer. Apparently, Alaska is an ideal location for providing the full-palmed flowers for markets throughout the world.
“Because Alaska is the only place growing commercially in July and August, these are in great demand,” Bitter said. She calculates about 40,000 peonies are planted at farms on the Kenai Peninsula alone.
For 25 years, the retired science teacher, principal and master gardener has grown peonies on her south-facing slope some 1,400 feet up on Skyline Drive. Her foray into the commercial end, however, is a new endeavor. It involves growing the famous double peony that is much coveted for weddings.
“We started last year,” Bitter explained. “It takes about four years to see mature plants take.”
This weekend, Future Farmers of America statewide president, Kevin Rowe of Homer — as well as teacher Francie Roberts — helped plant roots at Bitter’s peony spread. The giant endeavor involves 2,600 plants by the time all are in the ground.
Barbara Kennedy, a prominent gardener and a good friend to Bitter, got Roberts and Rowe started on the project.

HOMER TRIBUNE/Naomi Klouda - FFA statewide president Kevin Rowe learns how to plant peonies at Daisy Lee Bitter’s commercial operation.

“The hardest part is seeing which end of it to plant in the ground,” Daisy Lee explained, showing the tender, pinkish-red shoots that protrude slightly from the gnarled, twisted part nearly identical to the root.
Sunday’s effort was two-pronged: getting roots in the ground prior to freeze up and pruning back the existing peony plants.
“Every bit of the foliage has to be gotten rid of because there is danger of the botyetis, or mold that can take hold,” Bitter said. “In fact, all the leaves have to be taken to the land fill. You can’t have it in the field where it might contaminate the plants.”
The day bode well for the extensive project; no rain, lots of sun and little wind. Because Bitter had hip surgery, she wasn’t able to do the planting herself. Rowe, Roberts and Kennedy were happy to help out, along with Thom Burton, who trimmed back the hundreds of peony plants of last year’s crop.
Peonies have been called the “most lucrative cash crop in Alaska.”
Rita Jo Shoultz, owner of Fritz Creek Gardens, began her commercial peony work in 2006. She now acts as a broker for local growers.
The emerging peony cut-flower industry in Alaska is based on three unique circumstances: peonies grow well here; they bloom at a time when they’re generally not available elsewhere, and Alaska’s geographical location allows fresh flowers to be quickly air freighted to U.S., European and Asian markets.

HOMER TRIBUNE/Naomi Klouda - Barbara Kennedy shows Francie Roberts (left) and Kevin Rowe (middle) how to plant the tubors.

“Our bloom period of late June through early August makes it possible to supply these highly desirable flowers to markets when there is little direct competition, providing potential for an expanding agricultural export industry in the state,” Shoultz said.
Shoultz helps local growers by providing her expertise and contends that if anyone wants to get started, she’s willing to help. The crops are lucrative because each plant, when mature, can produce 8-10 long-stemmed flowers. Each stem sells for $4-5 each. That means a single plant has the potential to generate $40 of income, multiplied by 3,000 plants.

“That can add up to $60,000 a year income,” Shoultz said. “Now, a few things can go wrong, and you have to know what you are doing, but they aren’t bothered greatly by bugs and moose don’t like them.”
Getting the color right — not an “almost-red” or “not-quite-pink” — also can be a challenge. The market demands unequivocal colors.
Shoultz has lectured in Juneau on the advantages of this crop in order to help small businesses qualify for start-up loans.
“You can plant 3,000 on less than half an acre,” she explained. “And the market is so big, we can’t possibly supply all the demand.”
Bitter is an ideal person for producing this kind of crop, because she is retired and has pursued a lifelong interest in gardening. She has immersed herself in the topic, joining the board of the Alaska Peony Growers Association. She recently authored an extensive article on peony growing for the American Peony Society Bulletin.
“Now, most of the farmers have found that growing the ‘queen of flowers,’ cutting the bud stems at the right time, cooling them quickly, packaging precisely for air freight to markets — all of it can be a challenge,” Bitter wrote.
But the benefit comes in the form of extra income and the joy of working with a favorite flower. Peonies are “roses on steroids,” as one friend describes them.
“They also don’t have thorns,” Bitter added.