Glebe Garden

I started planting pre-First World War herbaceous peonies with the intention of creating two mirror image beds. Two beds became four, and then six, and now eight. Many of the earlier peonies were bred in France and Belgium. In the late 1800s Kelway’s nursery in Langport, Somerset started breeding peonies and created many wonderful varieties. Sadly with the nursery having passed through a number of owners in recent decades very few are still available for sale.

Having realised that I decided to try and find them – possibly in the future building up to a National Collection. I have had some success but have still only found a fraction of what was available. In some cases those plants were still being sold within the last ten years – they should still be in people’s gardens. I am looking for any herbaceous peony bred by Kelway’s not just the pre-First World War varieties.

If you think you may have a Kelway’s peony, or if you think you can help me in my search I would be delighted to hear from you. Below is a list of names – by no means exhaustive – to perhaps jog a memory?