Hollingsworth Peonies web site (Skidmore, Missouri) (2025)  Includes photo(s).
 
Spring Sun
Description
The full double flower opens clear bright yellow. The pigments are even and clean throughout the bloom. The color is quite durable especially when cut and opened indoors. The petals eventually fade in the sun and transition from pale yellow to nearly cream when petals drop. Generously furnished with petals, it unfurls to an exhibition quality flower of formal form and heavy substance. This peony has an excellent plant habit. It is vigorous and the increase is above average, growing a large clump within a few years of planting. The clump abounds with flowering stems, offering exceptional color on a substantial, medium height bush. The blooms are borne close to the foliage imparting a well-proportioned, pleasing presentation. The stiff stem holds the flower upright but may sag with rain in the opened flower. The presentation benefits by light support. The bush is generously covered with foliage, the color a rich, dark green.
Awards, Best Use & Distinctions 
Best Landscaper^®; Best Cut^®; Best Fragrant^®; Our Own Peonies; APS Seedling Certificate of Merit and Best Seedling, 2019; APS Court of Honor; rare variety; champion class; exhibition variety; general garden and landscape use; perennial border; cut flower garden; deer resistant; cutter in commercial use.

Hollingsworth Peonies web site (Skidmore, Missouri) (2025)  Includes photo(s).
 
Sandra Marie
Semi-double; large, cupped outer petals and smaller inner petals are light pink to blush. Inter-mixed stamens impart a creamy glow. Sweetly fragrant flowers are set close to the broad bush on stout, very erect stems. Bush of semi-dwarf to medium height. Shoots emerge red-purple; medium large leaflets mature to dark green and develop fall color.
Awards, Best Use & Distinctions
Best Landscaper®; Fragrant variety; general garden and landscape use; perennial border; deer resistant.

Hollingsworth Peonies web site (Skidmore, Missouri) (2025)  Includes photo(s).
 
Ruby Riches
Description
The large double flower opens in a deep ruby red color. The pigments are intense and clean throughout the flower. The color is quite durable, the petals pale to rose-red shades in the sun and eventually fade to a rose color when petals drop. Broad outer petals surround layers of smaller segments, the inner petals are ruffled and notched. The petal segments grade narrower toward a center that is accented by yellow staminodes. These staminodal segments occur near the middle, otherwise their number and position are random, and different for each bloom. The flower is well furnished with petals, obscuring the pale carpels with white stigmas in its center. It is an attractive flower that is of notable substance and of high silhouette, nearly ball shape. The plant is a strong grower in our Midwest climate and has a very satisfying plant habit. It increases well and forms a sizable clump within a few years of planting. The plant is vigorous and dependable with ample color on a medium height bush. One flower per stem is presented near the foliage imparting a trim and neat presentation. The bush holds its form well against rain events and the thick stems remain erect. The flowering stems are self-supporting and do not require support under normal growing conditions. The plant is densely clothed in deep green foliage. Leaflets are broad and pointed, growing quite large near the base of the stem. The leaves are of good quality and healthy and remain green well into summer in NW Missouri. This unique peony draws attention from afar, a true eye-catcher and a fabulous addition to the sunny border.
Awards, Best Use & Distinctions
Best Landscaper^®; Our Own Peonies; general garden and landscape use; perennial border; deer resistant.

Hollingsworth Peonies web site (Skidmore, Missouri) (2025)  Includes photo(s).
 
Rouge Harlequin
Description
The large (6-inch), single flower opens in shades of white to blush to fuchsia. The brilliant fuchsia color is most saturated near the base of the petals and bleeds outward across the center of the otherwise blush segments with white edges. Initially, the color is intense but will fade over time in full sun. The mature flower shows silvery mauve with a dusting of lavender across the center of the petal segments. The flower opens completely, the petals nearly reclining when fully open, reveal a large cluster of golden yellow stamens. The pollen baring anthers surround a noticeable set of carpels, the stigma are deep rose red. The bright center offsets pleasantly the lavender shades of the petals. The scent of the flower is slight, typically it is not noticeable. Honeybees visit the flowers where they find a rich source of pollen. This variety is fertile both ways, producing pollen and seeds freely. The fool’s-hat shape and the dark purple color of the seed pods bestow further ornamental qualities to this variety. It is a unique cultivar and is unlike any other varieties currently offered in the marketplace.
The substantial bush boasts an excellent upright plant habit. It is vigorous, fast to increase and produces a lush, verdant, 36-inch-tall bush within 4 years of planting. The clump is large when fully grown and may reach a diameter of more than 4-feet across. It is a prolific bloomer, covering the plant with a layer of color. Each flowering stem has a large main bloom and 1 to 4 side buds that open over time and extend the bloom season. The flower buds are round and of the shape and size of shooter marbles (¾ to 1-inch). Typically, this variety flowers for about 10 days, sometimes 15 days in cool spring weather. The stalks of the side buds are quite long and carry them above the main flower. The blooms sit well above the canopy of the dark blue green foliage. The large leaflets are of leathery substance, the cuticle waxy and polished. The bush is well clothed in foliage from top to bottom. Here in Missouri the foliage remains clean and healthy throughout the growing season and seems to exhibit a moderate degree of resistance toward fungal disease such as black spot and mildew. It seems not to be particularly susceptible to Botrytis.
Self-supporting, strong stems are erect and of burnished bronze color. The stems retain this dark color throughout the growing season. After the bloom, the carpels mature into seed pods of a dark purple color. The bush holds its shape well against inclement weather events. The stems are self-supporting and staking not needed under normal growing conditions. This cultivar provides attractive ornamental qualities throughout the growing season. It is an eye catcher that is visible from a distance. An outstanding variety for the flower garden, the sunny border and it is particularly effective in mass plantings.
Awards, Best Use & Distinction
Best Landscaper^®; Our Own Peonies; BeeLoved^®; general garden and landscape use; perennial border; mass plantings; deer resistant; hybridizing; attracts pollinators and honeybees.

Hollingsworth Peonies web site (Skidmore, Missouri) (2025)  Includes photo(s).
 
Pretty in Pink
Description
The bomb double flower opens in shades of rose-pink. The bright pigments are clean and even throughout. The pigments eventually fade to very pale shades by the time the petals drop. The inner segments are slender forming a ball that rises above a saucer of broad guard petals. The attractive flower is pleasing, formal shape and good substance. A dependable variety with a good plant-habit. The increase of this vigorous plant is a bit slow but grows into a good size clump after a few years of planting. It is a good bloomer with ample color on a medium height bush. Medium green leaflets remain attractive for most of the growing season. The stout stem carries the flower close enough to the foliage for a pleasing presentation. The bush keeps its form quite well and staking is typically not required under normal growing conditions. This charming variety is a good performer in the landscape and a fine choice for the sunny border.
Awards, Best Use & Distinctions
Our Own Peonies; general garden and landscape use; perennial border; deer resistant.

Hollingsworth Peonies web site (Skidmore, Missouri) (2025)  Includes photo(s).
 
Prairie Star
Description
Fragrant, Japanese white blossom of broad petals surrounded by a large cluster of narrow, golden yellow staminodes, centered by obscured bale green carpels. It is a graceful, strongly cupped flower with good substance and prolific bloom. Side buds extend flowering. A dependable variety on a medium height bush with good plant habit and good increase. Deep green leaflets on stout, upright stems carry the flowers near the canopy. Excellent in the landscape and great choice for mass planting.
Awards, Best Use & Distinctions
Best Landscaper^®; Best Fragrant^®; Our Own Peonies; general garden and landscape use; perennial border; deer resistant.

Hollingsworth Peonies web site (Skidmore, Missouri) (2025)  Includes photo(s).
 
Prairie Princess
Description
Fragrant, large, full double flower opens in shades of medium to dark pink, with petal margins frosted when mature. The color is more intense and darker in cool spring climate. Broad outer petals, with the segments grading narrower inward, are generously furnished with wavy petals and good substance. A sumptuous flower of nicely tailored, exhibition quality form. This peony has a very satisfying plant habit. It is vigorous and reliable bloomer with ample color on a medium height bush. The increase is above average growing a large clump within a few years of planting. Strong stems with excellent cut flower qualities display a very attractive color under fluorescent lighting. Long stems, spreading when in open flower in the landscape, require mechanical support for the best results. The foliage is deep green and remains healthy throughout the growing season. A remarkable peony that makes a great addition to a cut flower garden the sunny border.
Awards, Best Use & Distinctions
Best Cut^®; Our Own Peonies; rare variety; fragrant variety; general garden and landscape use; perennial border; cut flower garden; deer resistant.

Hollingsworth Peonies web site (Skidmore, Missouri) (2025)  Includes photo(s).
 
Pink Tea Cup
Description
Single, medium size flower opens bright coral pink, near red in northern climates or cool spring. Overlapping layers of large, well-formed petals surround a large, yellow cluster of pollen-bearing stamens, in center pale green carpels with pink stigmas. The flower forms a symmetrical cup as it opens; the distinct shape holds well in seasonally cool and moderate temperatures. Excellent plant habit, vigorous and good grower, a dependable bloomer with ample color on a compact, short to semi-dwarf bush. Attractive foliage, narrow leaflets notched at ends reflect its Paeonia tenuifolia and Paeonia peregrina ancestry. This attractive early flowering variety provides a cheerful splash of color in the near border or the living garden.
Awards, Best Use & Distinctions
Best Landscaper^®; BeeLoved^®; Our Own Peonies; Fernleaf Hybrid; general garden and landscape use; perennial border; attracts pollinators and honey bees; deer resistant.

Hollingsworth Peonies web site (Skidmore, Missouri) (2025)  Includes photo(s).
 
Pink Bubbles
Description
The single, well grown mature plants semi-double flower open bright pink. One medium size flower per stem. Vivid flower color, the petal margins soon fade in sunlight, imparting a silvery frosted cast on the segments that are arranged in rows around a cluster of golden yellow stamens. The pale green carpels in center, lightly hairy; stigmas natural, prominent in size and in a deeper pink hue than the petals. Guard petals of good substance are lightly notched, rounded and waved at ends. Has stamens and pollen; seeds large and black. Excellent plant habit, above average rate of stem increase leads to abundant display of flowering as the plants reach maturity. Strong stems and only moderately spreading stems do not require support; dark green leaflets are broad and pointed. Flowers are displayed a little above the bush. The well-formed bush is of medium height, the foliage is healthy and stays attractive for most of the growing season. The cultivar name is derived from the abundant display of flowers.
Awards, Best Use & Distinctions
Best Landscaper^®; general garden and landscape use; perennial border; deer resistant.

Journal de la Société Imperiale et Centrale d'Horticulture (1853-1870) (Nov 1863)  Page(s) 703.  
 
Pivoines herbacées (Gains de Guérin-Modeste).
Princesse Nicolas Bibesco.—Plante robuste et élevée (1 mètre, 20 centimètres); fleurs très-larges, très-pleines, composées d'un nombre infini de ligules jaune pâle ou blanc butyreux, contenues dans un rang de grands pétales extérieurs rose pourpré léger; au centre se trouvent quelques pétales de même couleur. Variété de premier mérite, coloris délicat, doux et agréable à la vue.

Les variétés Président Brongniart (Pivoine ligneuse), M. Malet, M. André, Zoé Verniory, Docteur Nestor Pelassy, Mme de Vatry et Princesse Nicolas Bibesco (Pivoines herbacées) seront mises au commerce à la fin de 1863; les autre variétés ligneuses et herbacées ne le seront qu'à la fin de l'année 1864.