Klehm's Song Sparrow farm has magnificent peonies. But quality nurseries do not ship peonies until fall, except for tree peonies. Sorry, you'll have to wait.

I think you may have a hard time finding a peony with your specifications w/o ordering online. Most local places carry the usual suspects for peonies and I don't think I've ever seen a single red. I have Scarlet O'Hara which is more dark magenta than red but stands up with no support and they are huge plants. I saw 'America' over in England and have never forgotten it. It was a huge single red and absolutely gorgeous with no staking. Not sure how readily available that one is through mail order. Certainly mail order will be more expensive than if you find bare root packages somewhere like Home Depot or Wal Mart, but you'd be able to get what you want and be happy for years with the choice.

Good luck! No matter what you get, you can't go wrong with a peony!

I was guessing this would be the case, but did not want to assume without really knowing. When I was looking at the unnamed âÂÂred doubleâ at the store yesterday, I thought, âÂÂDo I really want to go to all the trouble of planting, only to be unhappy with my choice in the end?â The money and effort can go toward something I really enjoy: the pleasure will just be deferred. Thanks to you both.

I bought a package of 4 single peonies (2 red and 2 white) at Costco last year for $12. They may still have some left from this spring.

This is a pic of the white.

I'd go to a good garden center or nursery and ask their advice.

Years ago, I saw a gorgeous peony that had flowers like the Cosco pictured above. But the "bush" was like 6 feet tall!!!! I thought I knew the street and have looked and looked for it but haven't seen it again except in my dreams. It was just what I'd love to have.

I guess it could be a tree peony then.

I'm also a peony newbie so in this respect, I don't mind buying a kind of cheap or inexpensive peony first. If it makes it, that's great and if it didn't, I won't feel too bad.

I still treat and care for the plant but just sometimes, it won't make it. A case in point is that I've been told my zone is kind of iffy for peonies, because it doesn't get quite a cold weather effect in the winter time, so I'll be glad if the peony I planted this spring does being to thrive in the following years.

Peonies are notorious for falling over when the blooms overwhelm the stems so I really prefer the single rather than double blooms. They seem to stay upright. I have both and have made 'stick' cages with twine around the ones that tend to droop but I really like not having to mess with that.

I haven't ordered from Gilbert Wilde, but I've seen their gardens. I wouldn't hesitate to order from them...but I suspect they won't ship till fall.

Gilbert Wild definitely. Most of my hostas and peonies came from there. They have wonderful sales and the roots are large and healthy.