Hundreds of colorful, fragrant peonies have burst into bloom at the historic J.R. Cummins Homestead in Eden Prairie.
In a garden in the yard at 13600 Pioneer Trail across from the Flying Cloud Airport, some of the 300 to 400 plants are believed to date back to 1915. Estimates of the lifespan of peonies range from 50 to 100 years.
Because the sea of pink, white and dark red blooms are the most unusual feature of the historic property, the city of Eden Prairie has worked for several years to return the garden to its original glory, said John Gertz, preservation planner for the city.
Although many peonies were originally imported from China, the city has so far been unable to trace the heritage of its peonies. What is known, said Gertz, is that Edwin and Harriet Phipps bought the farm and home from John and Mattie Cummins in 1908.
Edwin was a market farmer who specialized in asparagus, Gertz said. "He became known as the asparagus king of Hennepin County."
Harriet applied her green thumb to flowers and planted the peony garden. "She purchased over 400 plants at the Minneapolis farmers market sometime around 1915, and they have been there ever since," Gertz said.
For about 15 years the bed lacked upkeep and plants were lost to invasive species, deer sleeping in the beds and people stealing the peonies by the root, Gertz said. But, he said, "We never lost a whole row of plants."
Over the past several years, the city Parks Department has filled in gaps with new plants.
Peony experts who have looked at the garden have not been able to identify the varieties, but "there is a dark, ruby-red peony that strikes interest," Gertz said.
LAURIE BLAKE
