BEATNIK

Bred by Canadian hybridizers G. Maltais and D. Maltais, ‘Beatnik’ was registered in 2010 and selected by the Canadian Peony Society’s members as the 2020 Peony of the Year.

This distinctive double-flowered peony stands out for its vivid purplish-red petals, which vary in width and have irregular, notched and frilled edges. The unusual, somewhat rebellious flower form inspired its name, a reference to the Beatnik movement of the 1950s.

Reaching about 30 inches tall, ‘Beatnik’ has narrow foliage, strong stems that generally need no support, and flowers that bring a dramatic, almost sculptural quality to the garden and floral arrangements. It is not fragrant, but its unusual form and rich colour make it a memorable Canadian-bred peony.

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