Historic Kelway’s peony collection achieves National Plant Collection Status

A unique collection of over 100 rare and historic peony varieties, bred by the renowned Kelway & Son nursery, has been awarded National Plant Collection status by Plant Heritage, a UK-based plant conservation charity. However, the search continues for many lost varieties, and the charity is calling on gardeners and plant enthusiasts to help preserve Britain’s horticultural heritage before it’s too late.

The vibrant collection, consisting of Paeonia lactiflora varieties, is the passion project of Caroline Stone, a dedicated gardener from Cornwall. Over the past eight years, Caroline has painstakingly tracked down rare Kelway peonies - plants that are no longer available for sale and are at risk of being lost forever. Despite her impressive achievement, many varieties remain elusive, including ‘Great Sport,’ ‘Colonel Heneage,’ and ‘Lady Ley.’

Kelway’s nursery, established in Langport, Somerset in the late 1800s, was once a world-renowned breeder of peonies. The nursery created an array of stunning blooms, celebrated for their range of shapes, colors, and even fragrance. However, after the business went bankrupt in 1933 and changed hands several times, many of these treasured varieties disappeared from commercial cultivation.

Recognising the importance of this horticultural legacy, Caroline Stone made it her mission to restore the Kelway collection. Her journey has taken her across the UK and even into Europe in search of these rare plants. Despite amassing over 100 varieties, Caroline knows the collection remains incomplete.

Paeonia 'Evening World' introduced by Kelway's in 1922 © Caroline Stone

“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,” she said. “As they are an important part of our national horticultural legacy, I wanted to ensure they are conserved.”

Caroline continues to seek out Kelway’s lost varieties, urging gardeners to check their flowerbeds and help safeguard these blooms for future generations.

“Many of the varieties I’m looking for were for sale around ten years ago, so they could still be in someone’s garden! I’d love to hear from anyone who thinks they may have one of these peonies so that together we can save these beautiful varieties,” she added.

Caroline also shared her top five tips for cultivating herbaceous peonies:

1. Plant bare-root in autumn.

2. Avoid planting too deep with no more than an inch of earth over the roots.

3. Never mulch over peony plants.

4. Ensure good air circulation by spacing plants appropriately.

5. Water well in the first summer after planting.

Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage, praised the significance of Caroline’s efforts, saying:

“Most of the varieties in Caroline’s collection have been classified as ‘Threatened in Cultivation,’ meaning they are no longer available from commercial suppliers. It’s incredibly important they continue to be cared for. We’re deeply grateful to Caroline for her dedication, and we hope others come forward with the varieties she’s seeking to help protect these beautiful blooms.”

Plant Heritage’s National Plant Collections comprise over 700 unique collections and include more than 95,000 plants. These collections are held by passionate individuals, nurseries, botanical gardens, and arboretums and serve as living libraries, preserving genetic diversity and identifying resilient varieties that can adapt to climate change.

Recent additions to the National Plant Collections include Cornish heritage apple varieties at Tresillian House and Gardens, edible Jerusalem artichokes in Gwynedd, and a Meconopsis collection in Dumfries and Galloway, featuring plants saved from a specialist nursery.

To assist Caroline Stone in her quest for Kelway’s peonies, visit www.glebegarden.co.uk. To learn more about starting a National Plant Collection, find a collection near you, or support Plant Heritage in its vital conservation work, visit www.plantheritage.org.uk