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Wholesale Flowers (over 50 stems) and Peony RootstocksMarree Boa - Manager |
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[ Wild Peter Products ] |
Export cut-flower peonies for the North American market
Cut-flower peonies for New Zealand wholesale orders
Herbaceous peony tubers for commercial growers
For home gardeners in New Zealand
Herbaceous peony tubers for EXPORT - see catalogue (minimum order 50 tubers)
Proprietors: Sir
Peter Elworthy and Lady Fiona Elworthy
Contact Person: Maree Boa
- Manager
Address: Craigmore,
R.D.2, Timaru
Telephone/Fax: (03)
612 9802
After Hours: (03)
686 4701
In the commercial cut-flower opreation, the busy picking season is condensed into six short weeks, beginning mid-November and running through until Christmas Day. Most varieties flower for just two weeks.
The peonies are exported in bud to north-east America for floral work, particularly for special events and corporate work. Flowers last twice as long as roses in a vase.
Peony blooms are able to be purchased directly from Craigmore for large orders. Because of their size, beauty, and long lasting qualities, they are fantastic for weddings and special functions.
Craigmore Peonies Partnership was created in 1981 by the Elworthys, who were looking for a suitable horticultural venture to develop on their farm in rural South Canterbury. The limestone country, with its cold winters and hot summers was ideal for peony growing, and after some research, the first tubers were imported.
In 1989, Fiona became the first president of the New Zealand Peony Society, and still keeps strong ties with breeders in the United States and New Zealand. The Peony Society has grown rapidly in kthe last few years, and now has a membership of over 150 commercial and prospective growers.
In 1991, the business was taken over by Sir Peter and Lady Elworthy's daughter Eve, who increased the size of the operation. Eve and Marcus Rudkin now import New Zealand flowers into Europe. Contact Blink Flowers.
Ownership of Craigmore Peony Partnership returned to Sir Peter and Lady Fiona Elworthy in 1995. They now employ a full-time manager to run this still-expanding business.
Peonies make excellent cutflowers because of their good storage and vase life qualities - they generally last twice as long as roses.
Most of Craigmore Peonies Partnership's flowers were exported through New Zealand Bloom, an Auckland-based export company, predominantly to the East Coast of the United States.
The fresh flower season in South Canterbury begins in mid-November, and runs through to Christmas day. The flowers are picked in bud, chilled, and packed with ice packs in boxes for their international flight. By the time they reach their destination, the peonies have travelled halfway across the world, arriving to the American buyers, along with a lovely range of pinks.
Up until Thanksgiving, coral and white colours are in the greatest demand. After that, American buyers, along with a lovely range of pinks seek the Christmas colours of red and white.
Fresh peonies are available in Auckland through a number of florists, both individually or as part of a floral design. Larger orders can be purchased directly from New Zealand Bloom and make a fantastic display for a special event. Contact New Zealand Bloom.
Craigmore is now marketing the Peony plants to commercial growers, gardeners and in 2003 exported tubers to Japan, Netherlands, France and the U.S.A.
Peonies are easily grown in any climate that has cold dwinters and hot summers. They are a valuable addition to any hervaceous border.
Herbaceous peonies are best grown in the southern half of New Zealand, as the plants require good winter chilling to set the flowers. They prefer a sunny situation, and rich, well-drained soil.
Peonies come in a wide range of shapes and colours. Craigmore Peonies Partnership have over 120 different varieties, mostly imported from the United States. The first import took place in 1981. Colours range from white and cream through the rarer lemon to corals, pinks and red.
Blooms come in single, semi-double, double and bomb form. Most are varieties of Paeonia lactiflora, although some newer varieties (mostly coral colours) are hybrids of P. laciflora and other Paeonia species.
The hybrids have better tolerance of warmer temperatures, and have been grown successfully in pots as far north as Auckland.
The tree peony is one of the most magnificent of all plants. The Chinese call it the "King of Flowers", and for centuries their writers and artists have recorded its beauty. The immense and delicate blooms are a feature of any garden, and when not in blossom are extremely handsome for the beauty of their leaves, the gesture of their branches, and rich autumn colours.
Most of the tree peonies grown at Craigmore Peonies Partnership are cultivars of Paeonia suffructicosa. Craigmore holds good stocks of the famous species Joseph ocks. This plant has large white flowers with deep purple flares.
Peonies are easily dried by hanging upside-down in a warm, dry, darkened room. Alternatively, dried peonies can be purchased from some florists and craft galleries or directly from New Zealand Bloom or Craigmore Peonies Partnership for larger quantities.
Dried peonies are wonderful in arrangements over the winter months when fresh flowers are scarce.