Self-Guided Tour

On Sunday, June 16 and Sunday, June 23, 2024, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. , Private Stock Peonies will be open for a free self-guided tour. Visitors will have the opportunity to view some of the 50+ varieties of peonies onsite that may be in bloom at the time and reserve roots to be dug in the Fall.

You will have the opportunity to purchase roots for fall digging if you wish.

June 19 UPDATE on Open Garden Status: The open garden for June 23 is still a go. With the upcoming heat this week some of the earliest varieties will have completed their bloom, but many of the mids and lates should still be going. You should see a broad range of colors and forms.

Be sure to check out the native wildflower strips while you are here. They are also coming into bloom.

Just a few other items to note for my garden guests:

1. Be prepared to walk from my entry gate. It is not a great distance but perhaps 1000 yards from one end of my site to the other. The only exceptions to driving on the private road in my site will be for guests with disabilities or who have great difficultly in walking.

2. Please do not bring your pets to the event.

3. You will be asked to sign a waiver of legal liability at the greeting tent. Liability insurance for a one-time event is very expensive, so I will ask guests to sign such a waiver. Please be assured there are few serious risks for injury at the farm, but such hazards as gopher holes, uneven ground, etc. are often present in an agricultural setting. This year the creek running through the north side of the property will be running high, so I will caution any guests with minor children to be aware of where their children are at all times.

4. I will have free bottled water at the site. Additionally there is a clean outhouse available should you need to use one.

Directions to Private Stock Peonies:

Driving south from Townsend on Highway 287 (or north from the Toston area), between mile markers 80 and 81 turn east onto Shelley Road (designated with a green county road sign.) There will be a Private Stock Perennials sandwich sign set up at the turnoff. Drive about 2.5 miles on Shelley Road until you reach a “T” — which is the junction with Flynn Lane. Turn left on Flynn Lane, and drive about 1/8 mile until you reach a gate with a Private Stock Perennials sign on it that turns left onto a private road.