Events

OUR 2025 ZOOM SEMINARS

The Canadian Peony Society / Société canadienne de la pivoine is delighted to announce the return of our Zoom Speaker Series for 2025. All webinars will be on Sundays so grab your warm beverage, cozy blanket, and cuddle up for some fascinating and informative sessions!

Members only.

Sunday, January 12, 2025, 2 p.m. EST

“Peonies – A Hobby Grown Out of Hand” presented by Dr. Theo Blom, Ph.D.

Dr. Theo Blom worked as a horticulturist at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Vineland Station, Ontario beginning in 1976. Along with his wife, he grew crops as a hobby at home initially growing leeks and Belgian endive. Starting in 1989 with 2 beds of peonies and expanding to 40 beds, Theo has grown over 20 cultivars of peonies from different sources. After meeting Don Hollingsworth, who was exhibiting his yellow peony "Garden Treasure" at a peony show in Ontario in the early 2000's, Theo became a producer of this iconic yellow peony. Theo
shares his experience with growing peonies from Jan. to Dec. over 35 years. Question and answer session to follow the presentation.

Time permitting, Theo's presentation will be followed by a short Stratford, Ontario Shakespearean Garden update.

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 2 p.m. EST

“Pretty Awesome – W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden a Science-Based Knowledge-Garden” presented by Dr. David C. Michener, Ph.D. & Dr. Nastassia Vlasava, Ph.D.

Dr. David C. Michener is the curator at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, and Dr. Nastassia Vlasava is a visiting scholar. In 1922, Dr. W. E. Upjohn gave a gift of peonies to the University of Michigan that would become what is now the University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden. Now over 100 years old, the garden hosts 350 historic herbaceous varieties from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and boasts more than 10,000 blooms at peak bloom. David and Nastassia will give us an insider’s look at not only the beauty but the science behind the garden.

Sunday, March 23, 2025, 2 p.m. EST

“Peony Fever in China” presented by Michele Moore

Michele Moore was born in Ruapehu and currently resides in Christchurch, New Zealand. Michele’s background is in botany, environmental science, teaching, marketing, and homeschooling. A childhood interest in China, along with several captivating trips, led Michele to be knowledgeable of their national flower, Paeonia.

Michele will lead us on a trip through China, sharing her experiences and many wonderful blooms.

Watch your Inbox for more detailed information on each webinar including details of how to join the Winter Webinar Series 2025 sessions. Attendance of the live sessions is open to CPS members only. For those wishing to attend who are not currently members, please consider CPS membership.

Become a Member

25th Anniversary National Show Gallery

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2024 CPS Lifetime Achievement Award

Purpose of the Award

To recognize individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Society’s activities

Award Criteria

Individuals nominated must have given of themselves to promote the Peony in any combination of the following ways:

ambassador
author
editor
grower
hybridizer
board member
donation of roots to gardens which are open to the public
organizer of major society activities
member in good standing

Nomination Process

Any member of the Society may nominate any other member of CPS by writing a letter to the board outlining the reasons for the nomination.
The deadline for this year’s nominations is April 4, 2024
Submit nominations to Awards Committee c/o Darlene Kalawsky at darlene@kalawsky.com

Who We Are

We are a Society dedicated to the growth and development of Peonies. We are always looking for new members and enthusiasts to join the Society, so join us and come and share your passion!