February 27
MPS WINTER EDUCATIONAL MEETING

Featured speaker: Keith Swenson
"Growing Peonies the Natural Way"

12:00 pm: Society Social
12:30 pm: Membership Business Meeting
1:00 pm:   “Growing Peonies the Natural Way”

Bachman’s Heritage Room
6010 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis
612-861-7600 (For directions)


Come early for a membership social and then stay to hear about our plans for 2010 at our business meeting.

We are pleased to present as our featured 2010 Educational Speaker, Keith Swenson. Keith, along with his wife Becky are owners of Swenson Gardens of Howard Lake, Minnesota. Keith, Becky and their children, Britta and Luke grow extraordinary peonies in varieties you’ll never find in a garden store, and they use absolutely no chemicals. Their peonies are organically grown and their gardens are located west of Minneapolis in Howard Lake, Minnesota.

Keith's thoughts:
"Peonies form a generational bond to its grower and those that admire its outer beauty. However, for those of us who are growers, peonies true beauty is not what is seen, but what is happening underneath those massive blooms and upright stems. Taking care of our ‘roots’ first is truly the key to many years of gardening bliss. Join Keith as he presents a step-by-step process of planting bare-root peonies. His color filled presentation will also detail tips and techniques for growing award winning peonies without the use of chemicals."

 Keith Swenson, co-owner of Swenson Gardens, has been growing environmentally friendly peonies for over 30-years. Since growing up on a farm, his love affair with gardening started when he was 5-years old. His grandma encouraged him into gardening and the old fashion way of growing peonies is the mainstay of their business. Swenson Gardens started in 2002 and they are now considered the largest chemical free peony grower in the United States. Their peonies have been featured in major magazines and newspapers and their website has received rave reviews from visitors around the world. Join him as he shares the joy in growing peonies the natural way! In the meantime, do visit their online garden at www.swensongardens.com.

June 4 - 6
AMERICAN PEONY SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW
Rotary Botanical Gardens
Janesville, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Peony Society has a number of exceptional events planned.  Along with the nation's largest collection of peony blossoms entered in competition, registered convention attendees will be treated to a tour of Klehm's Song Sparrow peony fields and a collection of premier peony speakers. For more information about the Rotary Botanical Gardens, visit www.rotarygardens.org.

The Minnesota Peony Society will be chartering a motor coach and has invited members interested in making the trip to the APS convention to contact us. The cost and registration information was included in our February newsletter. With a national peony show in our regional neighborhood - this is an opportunity not to be missed.

June 13
MPS GARDEN TOUR AND PICNIC

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

On Sunday, June 13th, MPS invites members to come to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for a picnic celebration of peony season. Registration information and picnic shelter location will be included in our next newsletter to be published in May. A floral design seminar and a casual flower show along with box lunches and a tour of the Arboretum's peony gardens will be among the highlights of the day. We invite our members to sign up and come to our peony party!

September 25
MPS ANNUAL PEONY ROOT AUCTION
and Membership Meeting

MPS members with peonies to donate please click on the
"Contact Us" link with your information.

Bachman’s Heritage Room
6010 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis
612-861-7600 (For directions)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
NOON: "How to Divide Peonies" Demonstration
12:30 p.m.  Membership meeting
1:00 p.m.    Peony Root Auction

Autumn is the best time to dig, divide and plant peonies.  We've scheduled our society fundraiser at the best time to acquire new peony color for your 2011 garden.  Members donate peony roots from their own gardens and we also acquire peony roots from the best hybridizers and professional growers in the region.  We'll have a wide variety of color and flower form and a number of very hard-to-find, collectible peonies. If you were able to visit our June peony show, bring your list of favorites, you may find them here.
 
Come early and see a demonstration on how to divide peonies.  Members will share their advice for digging and cleaning roots prior to dividing them. Then they'll show just how to make the cuts that will make it possible to expand your peony beds or share plants with family and friends.  If you have questions about peony culture, don't miss this opportunity to learn from the some of Minnesota's most experienced peony growers.