Question
is it possible to start new tree peonies from the deadheaded blossoms?  mine has always had a few beautiful blossoms but this year it was spectacular.  it was given to me 7 years ago by a dear friend who passed away early this spring.  no coincidence as far as i'm concerned.  she truly is an angel.

Answer
Hi Chrissy,
Thanx for your question.  It is possible to start a tree peony from a seed but it is not common.  Many times the blossoms will not produce seeds.  If the blossom does, the seed will probably be black and about the size of a large corn kernel.  They are very hard.  The seeds are difficult to germinate.  They will require two or more periods of cold/warm treatments.  In the wild, the seeds fall to the ground in the fall and they are dormant.  They will go through the winter and then when it warms up in the spring they may or may not germinate, it just depends on a number of weather and other questions.  Sometimes, if the winter is particularly long or harsh the seed will not germinate after the first cycle of cold/warm period and it will take a subsequent winter and spring before the seed will germinate.  You can duplicate this and shorten the time by planting the seeds about an inch deep in a pot and sealing it inside a plastic baggie.  Place the baggie inside the fridge for 90 days and then bring it out into a warm room and allow it to sit for 90 days in a warm environment.  If it does not germinate return it to the fridge for another 90 days and then back to the warmth.  The seed should germinate this time.  After the seedlings emerge, you'll need to make sure they get plenty of light.  Put them about 8 inches beneath a 40-watt shop light until they are sturdy and a few inches tall and then you can transplant them gently to separate pots.  After they have reached 6 or 7 inches and it is past the last frost, take the pots outdoors and place in the shade where they will be protected from weather extremes, cold and direct sun for about 10 days.  After that, plant the seedlings in direct sunlight.  It will take 1-3 years for germination and another 3-5 years for flowering.  I hope this helps.
Tom