Established in 1851, the plant nursery Kelways has long and distinguished history. Founded, by James Kelway, they are one the oldest nurseries trading in the UK. Kelway’s first love was the gladiolus, but he also worked on other herbaceous plants such as delphiniums, pyrethrums and peonies – which became the Kelways’ flagship product.
Kelway’s nursery in Langport, Somerset, started breeding peonies and created many beautiful varieties but having gone bankrupt in 1933 and changing hands several times in subsequent years, very few of these wonderful plants are now available for sale.
Bred by Kelway & Son, the collection of Paeonia lactiflora has been the passion project of Cornish gardener Caroline Stone, who has made it her personal mission over the past eight years to track down as historic varieties which are no longer available for sale and at risk of becoming lost forever. Stone has spent years tirelessly researching and tracking down Kelway’s peonies, which has taken her across the UK and even into Europe.
The collection, which includes over 100 different peonies has now been awarded National Plant Collection status by the plant conservation charity, Plant Heritage. Although her collection is impressive, many more are still out there to be found and if they’re not cared for as part of a National Plant Collection, could be at risk. Some of the peonies Stone is searching for includes ‘Great Sport’, ‘Colonel Heneage’ and ‘Lady Ley’.
“I fell in love with peonies many years ago, but when I realised Kelway’s nursery no longer had their historic varieties available for sale, I was determined to try and collect as many as I could. As they are an important part of our national horticultural legacy, I wanted to ensure they are conserved. I’m still searching for peonies bred by Kelway & Son and also pre-First World War varieties – many of which were for sale around ten years ago so could still be in someone’s garden! I would love to hear from anyone who thinks they may have one of these peonies, so that together we can save these beautiful varieties,” explained, Caroline Stone, National Plant Collection Holder of Paeonia.
Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage, added: “Most of the varieties in Caroline’s collection have been classified by Plant Heritage as ‘Threatened in Cultivation’, which means most are not available from commercial suppliers, so it’s hugely important they continue to be cared for. We’re incredibly grateful to Caroline for her ongoing work and I really hope that others come forward with the varieties she is seeking to help protect these beautiful blooms.”
Held either in homes, gardens, greenhouse or on allotments by passionate individuals, or at nurseries, garden centres, arboretums or botanical gardens, the National Plant Collections (of which there are over 700) contain 95,000+ plants.
To get in touch with Caroline Stone, visit her website at Glebe Garden.
