Peonies for Northern Ireland
Introduction
Peony lactoflora is becoming a very popular seasonally available cut flower within the UK. A range of varieties of Paeonia lactiflora are being currently being evaluated and demonstrated at Greenmount Campus and at growers’ holdings, as to their suitability for commercial production under Northern Ireland conditions.
Varieties of Peonia lactiflora currently under investigation include:
Short Courses and Knowledge and Technology Transfer Events
The first event on peony production was organised in 2008:
- On farm workshop on cut flower Peony production for export markets at Flamelily Flowers - 4 September
Farmers and growers interested in learning about the production and marketing of foliage crops will be invited to attend technology transfer demonstration events and short course workshops during 2009.
Topics covered in these events will include variety selection, crop management, weed, pest and disease control, pruning and nutrition. Marketing and communication with buyers are also covered to help ensure crops grown meet market demand.
Links with Floristry Courses at Greenmount Campus
Students attending Floristry courses at Greenmount Campus also have first hand exposure to the range of varieties for use in their floral arrangements.
Press articles
Northern Ireland flowers go Dutch - August 2008
Project Manager
