Peony History Timeline

100 Years of Bloom

1885

Madame de Verneville (Bed 7) introduced introduced. She is critical in the history of the French Court and the eventual build-up to the Revolution.

1888

Monsieur Jules Elie (Bed 4) introduced

In world history: The first adding machine is pattented by Burroughs; Vincent van Gogh cuts off his ear

1903

American Peony Society established in Detroit to “promote cultivated peonies and foster studies to improve its worth as a garden plant.” All 37 Founders were men.

1904

American Peony Society establishes a test plot with Cornell University, setting off the establishment of a series of major trial and research gardens at colleges and universities in North America. Of the largest 5, only the tree peony collection at Swarthmore and the University of Michigan Peony Garden still exist.

In world history: The USA begins construction on the Panama Canal

1904

Therese (Bed 2) introduced

1905

Admiral Togo is named in 1907. It is an Upjohn favorite we seek and is currently unknown in the trade or specialty collections.

1906

Sarah Bernhardt (Bed 24) introduced

1907

Le Cygne (Bed 6) introduced.

In world history: Walter & Ester Nichols donate 27 acres to become the UM Botanical Gardens. This is the founding of what is now the Nichols Arboretum

1908

Jubilee (Bed 6) introduced and within years makes the New York Times as noteworthy for its beauty and being one of the few so highly ranked bred by a woman

In world history: The Model ‘T’ introduced by the Ford Motor Company.

1908

Karl Rosenfield (Bed 16) introduced