First Arrival Itoh Peony

First Arrival Itoh Peony is prized for its early lavender-pink flowers with red flares, a softer color range that feels unusual among intersectional peonies. It grows about 26 to 30 inches tall with a similar spread, forming a rounded clump. Sturdy stems hold the semi-double flowers upright without staking. It extends the bloom window of garden peonies, often lasting 3-4 weeks. This is a great variety for gardeners who want peony flowers with a lighter, more nuanced color shift as each bloom ages. rAs an Itoh peony, First Arrival combines the lush flowers of tree peonies with the easy care nature of herbaceous peonies. The blooms open rose-lavender to lavender pink with darker interior flares, then soften to a paler pink as they mature. The lightly fragrant flowers are excellent for cutting. The foliage stays dense and handsome through the growing season, giving it more landscape value after bloom than many old-fashioned peonies. Use it as a featured perennial in a sunny border, a cutting garden, or a foundation planting that could benefit from its fuller, more polished habit.rFirst Arrival Itoh Peony CarerPlant First Arrival Itoh Peony in full sun for the best flowering; light afternoon shade is helpful in warmer parts of its range. Grow it in loose, fertile, well-drained soil with a near-neutral pH around 6.5 to 7.0. Good drainage is important, and the eyes should sit only 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface so the plant can bloom well.rWater deeply after planting, and keep the soil lightly moist during the first growing season without keeping the crown wet. Once established, this peony is fairly drought tolerant, and a yearly topdressing of compost in spring is often enough in average garden soil. In winter the stems die back, and new shoots emerge from the crown in spring.rRemove spent flowers to keep the clump tidy, cutting just below the old bloom while leaving as much foliage as possible to feed next year’s growth. After a hard frost, cut stems down in fall and clear away dropped leaves to reduce disease carryover. Itoh peonies prefer to stay put, so choose the planting spot with care and avoid dividing unless it becomes necessary.rFirst Arrival Itoh Peony SpacingrSpace First Arrival Itoh Peony about 30 to 36 inches from neighboring plants so air can move freely around the clump and the flowers can be seen clearly. For a container, use a pot at least 20 inches wide and deep. Note that this peony is usually happier long term in the ground where the roots can settle without disturbance.rPair this peony with allium and larkspur to pick up the lavender tones and carry the border forward after the peony flowers finish. In containers, surround it with pansies for spring color and alyssum to soften the rim without crowding the crown.