Where Peonies Meet Passion: Inside Swenson Gardens
- Diana Pierce
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
On a sunny morning just west of the Twin Cities, Keith Swenson walks the rows at Swenson Peony Farms, stepping between thousands of blooms—blushing pinks, deep crimsons, and luminous lemon-yellows. He pauses to hold up a stem.
“These are intersectional hybrids,” he explains. “Sometimes called Itoh peonies—a cross between tree peonies and garden peonies. You get the beauty of both worlds.”
Itoh peonies were brought to the U.S. from Japan in the 1970s and refined in the 1980s by breeders like Roger Anderson and Don Hollingsworth. They developed stronger stems—less prone to flopping—and expanded the palette of bloom colors.
Itohs are relative newcomers in a lineage of flowers loved for centuries. But for Keith and his wife, Becky, they’ve become the heart of their operation. Their farm in Zone 4B sits at the northern edge of where peonies thrive.
Unlike woody tree peonies that stay upright through winter, Itohs die back to the ground—making them well-suited for cold climates.
“They’re easier to care for but still deliver that stunning foliage and bloom,” Keith says.
Swenson is also selective about how his plants are produced.
“We don’t use tissue culture. Those test-tube plants from big-box stores are weak. We grow from original rootstock—it’s hardier, more vigorous, and more disease-resistant.”
Peony Field Days 2025: Walk, Learn, Order
Each June, Swenson Gardens welcomes visitors during Peony Field Days. Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last weekend open)
Guests can stroll the fields, ask questions, and place fall orders.
"Peonies need winter dormancy. You plant them after Labor Day. We ship based on USDA zones—earlier for the north, later for the south.”
Yes, They Ship to You
Swenson Gardens ships across the country and times deliveries for your growing zone—great news for Bloom With Me readers who live in other states.
From their website:
· Zones 2–5: Plant early September to early October
· Zones 6–8: Plant early October to early November
“We ship your roots at the best planting time for your USDA Zone.”
Last year, half their inventory sold out within days of online ordering opening on January 1st.
Keith’s Planting Advice
When I asked what beginners should know, Keith didn’t hesitate:
“Plant them right, then turn your back. Don’t water. Leave space. Give them eight hours of sun.”
It may sound counterintuitive, but it works. Keith says peonies multiply each year. By year three, they’re thriving.
Ants? Don’t Panic
Ants on peonies? Totally normal.
“Peonies release fragrant sap that helps petals unfold. That draws the ants—they’re part of the process.”
Newer hybrids are bred to be fragrant but less attractive to ants—ideal if you’d rather not see them.
Keith’s Favorite? A Classic
“Bartzella,” he says without hesitation. “It’s a lemon-yellow Itoh, registered in 1986 by Roger Anderson. He’s my mentor and one of the pioneers of intersectional peony breeding. I’ve known him since 1998. It reblooms, and we’ve seen mature plants with 80 blooms.”
Swenson Gardens now hybridizes its own series. Check out their:
· Glorious
· Wondrous
· Angelic
A standout is Glorious Cheer, a deep red peony with strong stems that don’t need staking.
A Bloom Named Diana (Yes—Me!)
Among thousands of plants in the field, one bloom will now carry my name. Keith spotted a vivid peach flower that matched my shirt and grinned.
“We’ll release it in 2026. We didn’t have a name, but now because of you and your shirt, we’ll call it, Angelic Diana.”
I am very honored (and thankful I wore that shirt)—and am reminded of Keith’s earlier words:
“You can divide a peony and give it to your daughter, your neighbor, your friend. These plants last a lifetime.”
They do. And now, I’ll always have one with my name on it.
Curious about peonies or peony care?
Visit SwensonGardens.com or explore their FAQ page to learn more.
Until next time,
Diana Pierce
Diana Pierce Photography
Follow @DianaPiercePhotography for more floral stories each month!
About the Author:
Diana Pierce is a floral photographer, writer, and Art in Bloom participant who shares her passion for flowers and creativity through her newsletter, Bloom With Me.
Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 11330 57th Ave N., Plymouth, MN 55442-1566