Search for Kelway’s peony collection continues as it gains National Collection status
Bred by Kelway & Son, the collection of over 100 different peonies is awarded National Plant Collection status by charity Plant Heritage, while gardener Caroline Stone continues her search for the varieties still missing.
During the late 1800’s, Kelway’s nursery in Langport, Somerset, started breeding peonies before going bankrupt in 1933. After changing hands several times over the years, very few varieties of the plants are still available for sale.
A collector of 100 varieties, Stone has spent the past eight years tracking down the lost varieties, taking her across the UK and areas of Europe.
Stone’s collection of Paeonia lactiflora contains flowers such as Paeonia ‘Evening World’ and Paeonia ‘King of England’. She comments:
“I fell in love with peonies many years ago, but when I realised Kelway’s nursery no longer had their historic varieties available for sale, I was determined to try and collect as many as I could. As they are an important part of our national horticultural legacy, I wanted to ensure they are conserved.”
Other peonies Stone is searching for include ‘great sport’, ‘coloneal heneage’ and ‘lady ley’. She urges members of the public to look at their gardens for these missing varieties.
“I’m still searching for peonies bred by Kelway & Son and also pre-First World War varieties – many of which were for sale around 10 years ago so could still be in someone’s garden!”
A collection classified as threatened in cultivation, Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage says it’s very important these plants are cared for as they are not available from commercial suppliers. She adds:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Stone for her ongoing work and I really hope that others come forward with the varieties she is seeking to help protect these beautiful blooms.”