Swenson Gardens
Swenson Gardens is closed for 2023 ordering. Check back in early January, 2024, to view and order our exciting new peonies. Thanks for a great 2023!
Looking for a new retail peony variety division? Swenson Gardens is for you. We specialize in unique world class peony hybrids. Herbaceous hybrid, lactiflora and intersectional hybrid or Itoh hybrid peonies are our one-of-a-kind creations. We also carry Roger F Anderson’s retail peony seedlings. Gorgeous, unique peonies are our specialty.
Lake Minnetonka, named mni tanka by the Dakota Sioux, lies just west of Minneapolis and has great spiritual and historic significance to Minnesotans. This is where early winter-hardy apples were developed, maple syrup is harvested, and vacation hotels and streetcar boats flourished. The lake is made up of many bays, has 125 miles of shoreline, and the community of Minnetonka is home to many state leaders, celebrities, and artists. We honor its horticultural and artistic heritage with three new varieties.
24” tall, 42” wide, single, mid
Minnetonka is filled with natural beauty and remarkable private gardens. Our new “berry” has raspberry blooms with delicately crinkled petals, buttery yellow stamens, and spectacular foliage.
34” tall, 50” wide, single, early to mid
In the gardens reaching down to Lake Minnetonka shores, nothing sets off vivid aqua waters better than shameless, unabashedly luxurious pink. Long, lush golden stamens.
30” tall, 48” wide, semi-double, mid
Sunsets on Lake Minnetonka are best viewed from a boat and evoked in the garden. Exquisite peach and apricot petals around delicate, wispy stamens. Splendid foliage.
30” tall, 48” wide, semi-double, mid
Post-Civil War, elegant hotels on Lake Minnetonka filled their lobbies with the perfume of blooms like our light-hearted pink petals with reddish flares and pale yellow stamens. Wonderful foliage.
30” tall, 38” wide, semi-double, early
Transfix your gaze upon this elegant peony and you will certainly be mesmerized. A subtle softness that will enthrall and charm your gardens.
26” tall, 34” wide, semi-double to double, mid
Fluffy, sophisticated and a charmer for sure in your garden and vase. The buttery yellow color with rosy red flares will surely cheer you up outside and inside.
28” tall, 38” wide, semi-double, very early
A new era of peonies has arrived here at Swenson Gardens! Yes, the world’s first very early blooming, semi-double, fragrant and lilac colored peony.
34” tall, 44” wide, semi-double, early to mid
Thank you, ‘Ludovica’, for providing the pollen on this amazing new, and improved, peony. Oh, and our unnamed pod parent helped out as well too!
32” tall, 42” wide, semi-double, early
Having the only ‘Red Lacquer’ peony AND our unnamed pod parent available in commerce in the world has its benefits. Introducing the first child of Red Lacquer.
32” tall, 42” wide, semi-double, early to mid
Thank you May Lilac for providing a later blooming lilac colored peony. However, your new child has a divine fragrance and is semi-double.
28” tall, 36” wide, semi-double, mid
One of the worlds most hybridized peony variety, Lemon Chiffon, has done it again. What a beauty you will have in your gardens if you, sorry, purchase this present.
30” tall, 44” wide, double, very late
Dan Zabel, our world renown hybridizer, has been focusing his efforts over the past few years on very late blooming peonies, well, his purpose is fulfilled!
32” tall, 42” wide, semi-double to double, mid
The passion and energy that went into this child from Majesty’s Favor and Heavenly Red truly focuses all attention visually and now our sense of smell!
24” tall, 34” wide, semi-double, early
Though my father, Squirt, was a compact size peony, I’m a tad taller and wider. Look at my bloom type, yes, semi-double and smell my fragrance, yes!
30” tall, 44” wide, semi-double, early to mid
Yes, peony enthusiasts, my father is Sugar n’ Spice! I am his child and will enhance his attributes with a semi-double bloom and pleasing fragrance.
32” tall, 40” wide, semi-double to double, early to mid
True my father is Rosedale, which some of my semi-double blooms may resemble, I also present double blooms on the same plant from my mother.
34” tall, 44” wide, semi-double, early to mid
Who would have thought that my mom, Majesty’s Bonnet, would produce children like me? Well, she did and thanks to my dad, an unnamed seedling, I’m here!
18” tall, 24” wide, novelty, mid
To move or spin around rapidly, suddenly or repeatedly. No apologies here as this novelty bloom will surely cause some minor neck pain!
18” tall, 24” wide, novelty, mid
And now for something completely different and pleasantly amusing, each bloom is configured with multiple turns, curves and bends!
32” tall, 36” wide, semi-double to double, early to mid
Sometimes a new variety peony bloom comes along that provides astonishment, admiration and mystery. Look deeply into its blooms and you may see it?
26” tall, 40” wide, bomb, early to mid
Absolutely, positively fire engine red! Densely packed bomb of such a clear, definite red that is fairly pops against its well-formed foliage.
28” tall, 38” wide, semi-double, early to mid
Arriving with crepe like petals early in life is a good thing…for peonies. Silky and paper-thin petals present a stunning bloom with classic dark green foliage.
26” tall, 38” wide, semi-double, early to mid
Just as God showed His unconditional love for us through His Son, Glorious Grace will find its unmerited favor in your peony garden.
28” tall, 38” wide, semi-double, mid to late
Finally, a vivid impression of what a mid to late blooming peony should look like. Outstanding plant habitat that is the essence in your garden.
20” tall, 34” wide, bomb double, early to mid
Check off all your senses when this variety blooms in the spring! Happiness abounds in small plants within your garden.
34” tall, 44” wide, double, early
Through our new mom and A.P. Saunders ‘Queen Rose’ the dad, may we present their child, Glorious Lavender. Attributes never been seen or smelled this early, ever.
30” tall, 40” wide, single to semi-double, early to mid
Though scents are not present, the sense to stop and look will grab your attention during bloom time. Dark green foliage is definitely an eye catcher too.
26” tall, 34” wide, semi-double, early to mid
Roger F Anderson’s love for creating peonies is certainly exemplified in this new variety. His passion is being carried forward by us for many generations.
32” tall, 44” wide, double, early to mid
Not as tall as its sister, Wonderous Secret, smaller spaces may allow this ‘secret’ to fulfill its place in your garden. Lovely dark green foliage but don’t tell anyone.
28” tall, 38” wide, semi-double, early
Our new mom certainly has an affection to A.P. Saunders. His ‘Fantasia’ and her produced a rather boisterous child named ‘Glorious Sound’.
32” tall, 40” wide, single to semi-double, early
Our new mom also had an eye on R.G. Klehm’s ‘Lavender Whisper’. Their child far exceeds its dad’s original characteristics. Perhaps our new mom had a part in that?
32” tall, 40” wide, novelty, mid
Be on the lookout for ‘green’ peonies that may be lurking in your garden. Not only are their heads ‘green’ but their entire body forms a luscious, dark ‘green’ stature.
32” tall, 38” wide, double, mid
Beyond excited to offer a few of these for the distinguished gardener! Flower form, foliage and very stiff stems catapults this variety beyond any peony available today. Yes friends, this is a very, very special peony!
26” tall, 38” wide, semi-double, early to mid
Mulberries are a bit too blue, pomegranates a bit too red. It’s a fresh-picked plum that these densely packed petals resemble, fresh as fruit salad against its crisp greens.
28” tall, 50” wide, single, mid
Back for another potential show in your garden. Yes, I am the original ‘purple’ performer here at Swenson Gardens. Limited engagements available so order early.
22” tall, 36” wide, double, early to mid
When Roger Anderson saw a picture of his seedling, hard to tell, but I think he blushed as much as this peony certainly does.
24” tall, 36” wide, semi-double to double, early to mid
How could we ask for more after seeing this Roger Anderson seedling? Be patient as the ‘blooms’ take some time to fully open. Of course, now, it’s time to open up your pocket book!
30” tall, 40” wide, semi-double, mid
Though hybridizing is not an official contest, this seedling certainly does not have an equal in the world. Perhaps the ultimate prize is growing this in your garden!
30” tall, 44” wide, semi-double, mid
This darkest semi-double red will not fade and is the first peony Roger Anderson has allowed to bear his name. A very special herbaceous hybrid seedling.
26” tall, 36” wide, semi-double to double, mid
Roger Anderson is one of the greatest peony hybridizers in the world. We ‘salute’ you Roger on another seedling never before seen in the world!
30” tall, 44” wide, double, early to mid
We temporarily interrupt your perusing of our peonies to induce a standing ovation for one of Roger Anderson’s most beautiful herbaceous peonies. Congratulations!
36” tall, 48” wide, Japanese, mid
My father, Scarlet Tanager, would like to introduce me to you as one of his children. He describes me as a portrait that was recently painted on a canvas.