{"product_id":"bartzella-peony","title":"Bartzella Peony","description":"\u003ch1\u003eGiant Golden Blooms on a Peony Built for Minnesota Winters\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBartzella Peony (Paeonia 'Bartzella') is the award-winning Itoh (intersectional) peony prized for its enormous 6–8 inch, lemon-scented golden flowers flushed scarlet at the heart. It combines the huge blooms of a tree peony with the iron hardiness and tidy habit of a garden peony — and its strong stems never need staking. Whether you're anchoring a sunny border in Wayzata, creating a showpiece bed in Edina, or adding a long-lived specimen in Maple Grove — Bartzella is a standout for zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBartzella Peony Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePaeonia 'Bartzella' (Itoh \/ intersectional)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eItoh Peony, Intersectional Peony\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–36 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e36–48 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — builds into a fuller, more floriferous bush each year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours). Tolerates light afternoon shade; full sun gives the most blooms.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAverage. Consistent moisture in year one; established plants tolerate normal rainfall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Prefers deep, well-draining, organic-rich soil — amend with compost at planting.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — glossy dark-green, deeply cut leaves stay handsome all season; dies back for winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F or colder. Extreme winter hardiness, like herbaceous peonies.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer-resistant — peonies are rarely browsed.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHuge 6–8 inch semi-double to double golden-yellow flowers flushed scarlet, fragrant, late spring to early summer over 3–4 weeks.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBartzella Peony Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecimen and focal-point planting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mature Bartzella carries 30–60 dinner-plate blooms and makes a true showpiece. Give it room as a standalone focal point in a sunny bed, spacing 3–4 feet from neighbors so its bush can fill out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMixed perennial borders\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe glossy foliage stays attractive long after bloom, so Bartzella anchors the middle of a border all season. Pair with later-blooming perennials to carry color after the peony finishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCut-flower gardens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fragrant golden blooms are spectacular and long-lasting in a vase. Cut in the soft-bud stage early in the morning for the longest vase life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Bartzella Peony in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window — and the traditional time for peonies. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May) is the second-best window. Spring-planted peonies may take an extra season to hit full bloom, which is normal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Bartzella Peony\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig a wide, deep hole — at least 2 feet across — in a sunny, well-drained spot. Peonies dislike being moved, so choose the location carefully.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant at the right depth. Set the crown so the buds (eyes) sit no more than 1–2 inches below the soil surface — planting too deep is the #1 cause of a peony that won't bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil plus 20–30% compost; firm gently and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace 3–4 feet from other plants to allow the mature bush to fill out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a shallow water basin the first season, then flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2 inches with shredded bark the first winter only, kept off the crown, then pull it back in spring so the eyes aren't buried.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Bartzella Peony in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow (20–30 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 4–5 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished peonies are tough and need supplemental water only during extended droughts. Water deeply and infrequently, soaking the root zone. Let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Bartzella survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely — Itoh peonies inherit the extreme cold-hardiness of herbaceous peonies and are reliable well below Twin Cities winter lows. Unlike tree peonies, the stems die back to the ground each fall, so there's nothing to protect once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy isn't my peony blooming?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most common reason is planting too deep. The eyes should sit just 1–2 inches below the surface. Newly planted peonies also often skip a year or two before hitting full bloom — patience pays off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Deer almost always pass over peonies, making Bartzella a dependable showpiece even in high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka and Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo Itoh peonies need staking?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Bartzella's strong, woody-based stems hold the big blooms upright without staking — a major advantage over many floppy herbaceous peonies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeer-Resistant Plants — for high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull Sun Plants — for bright borders and specimen plantings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Bartzella Peony Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBartzella is a showpiece specimen — give each plant 3–4 feet of room to build its full bush. One plant makes a striking focal point; for a longer border statement, plant a row at 4-foot spacing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBorder Run\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (≈4 ft apart)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a luxurious effect, plant in groups of 3, each set 3–4 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBartzella Peony Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red-tinged shoots push up and unfurl into glossy, deeply cut dark-green foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Huge 6–8 inch golden flowers flushed scarlet open in late spring to early summer over 3–4 weeks; handsome foliage carries the bed after bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The foliage takes on subtle tints before the stems die back for winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stems die to the ground — no winter structure and nothing to protect once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/aurora-blue-delphinium\"\u003eAurora Blue Delphinium\u003c\/a\u003e — the timeless early-summer partner, its blue spires set against the golden blooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/amethyst-dream-cornflower\"\u003eAmethyst Dream Cornflower\u003c\/a\u003e — frilly amethyst flowers for a cottage-garden companion at bloom time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — upright plumes that contrast the mounded peony and carry the bed into winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/sombrero-granada-gold-coneflower\"\u003eSombrero Granada Gold Coneflower\u003c\/a\u003e — picks up the gold and carries color long after the peony finishes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Bartzella Peony Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBartzella thrives in full sun and deep, rich, well-drained soil with room to spread 3–4 feet, rewarding you with dozens of fragrant golden blooms and deer-proof reliability. It's not a fit for deep shade or cramped beds — and remember to set the eyes just 1–2 inches deep, since planting too deep is the top reason a peony won't bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54230599991601,"sku":null,"price":141.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54233663275313,"sku":null,"price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Bartzella_Peony_5.jpg?v=1779074409","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/bartzella-peony","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}