May days are here! May hosts many celebrations: Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, graduation, etc. However, to the Indiana gardener’s heart, May marks two vital events: Peony Season and Last Frost Date (aka. full-fledged Planting Season.) From the grandstands, let me announce, “Gardeners, start your digging!”
Peony Politics: The peony, a flower of undeniable beauty, has a history in Indiana that is as intriguing as it is controversial. It has held the title of Indiana’s state flower, a distinction passed on to four different flowers over the years: carnations, tulip tree blossoms, zinnias, and peonies. The tulip tree blossom is the only native plant on this list.
But how did the peony, native to Asia, become our state flower? The answer lies in a fascinating tale of legislative debates and passionate arguments.
The 1957 Indiana legislature hotly debated replacing the zinnia and reinstating the tulip tree blossom as the state flower. After much discussion, a bill to make the dogwood tree flower the official bloom was introduced.
Now for the twist! Indiana House Representative Laurence Baker of Kendallville, a commercial peony farmer himself, played a pivotal role in the peony’s selection as the state flower. His deep understanding and passion for the flower persuaded the committee to propose the hardy peony instead. Of course, choosing the peony was good for his business, too!
Reasons to accept the Asian immigrant plant included its longevity and symbolism. Peony plants, dating back to 1,000 B.C., are known for their endurance, often lasting up to one hundred years in your garden. The plant symbolizes prosperity, luck, and honor, values the state of Indiana holds dear. These unique qualities made it a fitting choice for the state flower.
Many Indiana organizations have tried to replace the peony as the state flower over the years. Their suggestions have included natives like the purple coneflower, fire pinks, and goldenrod. These organizations argue that native plants are more sustainable and better suited to Indiana’s climate. However, despite these arguments, the peony’s time-tested hardiness and deep roots in the Indiana gardener’s heart have prevailed. Both their beauty and fragrance are irresistible.
Last Frost Date: May is also when gardeners discuss the last frost date. Some believe the determined date means placing plants and seeds in the ground is safe without fear of frigid temperatures wreaking havoc.
Garden friends, be cautious! The last frost date is not a guarantee, but a prediction based on historical data. It suggests that frosty days are over, but there is still a 50% chance of freezing temperatures.
So, while May is an exciting time for planting, it is wise to keep an eye on the weather forecast. You never know when Mother Nature may flash her icy smile. Indiana weather and Mother Nature are so moody.
I use Mother’s Day as my benchmark date. Even then, I still watch the forecast. Sometimes, it is a battle between the desire to get my hands in the soil; the seeds trays out of my basement, and the contentment of witnessing the daily developments in my yard.
And when I know I can stop obsessing over the proper temperatures, I move on to thinking about the rainfall! Ah … the gamble in the garden never ends.
Andria Grady of Crawfordsville contributed this guest column to the Journal Review.
