Mary Poppins?!  No, peonies!  I figured that after a post about rejection I’d better write something cheery.  Nobody likes too much gloom, particularly moi.  Eek!  That just made me think of Miss Piggy and how she’d draw it out, moooiii?!  I never liked her, a bit too selfish for my taste.  Poor Kermie.

Anyway, I digress.  This afternoon, after cancelling this morning because it was pouring buckets, then thinking I might go on Saturday, and calling my friend Bridget twice, I finally went to the peony farm.  I made a little pit stop in Tualatin to pick up my bestest buddy Gregory, and we were on our way!  The skies were grey and wind chilling, but it did not rain, thank goodness.

I was not disappointed, but I don’t need to tell you that.  Look at these delightful blooms!  Row upon row of beautiful flowers in many colors and hues – a veritable feast for the eyes!  Had there not been such a breeze, I would have wandered around a bit more taking in their gorgeousness and a few more pictures.  I know that I’m gushing, but I looove peonies (though the G-Man was pretty impressed too).  They are neck and neck with Poppies in my favorite flower horse race.  Still in the race, but a bit behind are dahlias, lilac, and lavender.  Pur-dee.

For the locals, Adelman’s is about a 45-50 minute drive from my house, so it requires a little planning, but, if you like peonies, it is well worth it.  The people are super nice and helpful and, as I’ve already said, the selection is fantastic, especially if you are particular in a Goldilocks or Sally Albright kind of way.   Here’s what I want – a red, a true red, nothing pinky-red, but nothing too ‘bomb’ like either, or too frilly, and nothing that needs staking.  Thankfully, I didn’t need to verbalize this to anyone except Gregory, because after fifteen years, he’s okay with my idiosynchrasies.  We just wandered until I found one that was just right (and then two more).  They even gave me a bouquet of Sunny Girl and some fertilizer to thank me for my purchase.   How nice is that?

As an aside for all of you who might entertain the idea of taking along someone who might not be the greatest fan of the beloved peony – just across the overpass is a perfect roadside restaurant called the Chalet that is good for bribing.  We noshed on a Philly French Dip and a Turkey sandwich with gravy and cranberry sauce before gilding the lily with a slice of coconut meringue and peach pie.  That’ll do pig, that’ll do.

And what, you might ask, did I buy before all the eating?  A Coral Charm, Buckeye Belle, and Bartzella, but, silly me, I neglected to take a single photo of them.  I assure you, they are lovely, just lovely.  I can’t wait to cut a bouquet next summer.  Thank you Adelman Gardens Peony Farm!