Peony and S???? question.

Kim has sent me a peony and as I'm no expert on these, I want to ask a question.

The peony has some shoots on it, one being about 3 inches long. Do I bury this or let this show above ground as it's obviously new growth?.

Tuther question is:
the garden centre gave me a plant today. I knew what it was as soon as she gave me it, but have now forgotten. Doh!!!! It's very common, has long green leaves, not too big, has red berries if I remember correctly and begins with S. Any ideas?

If the shoot on the peony looks like tight leaf coming up, plant it so that the shoot is through the soil.
Have to think about other one, is it a shrub or perennial?

Yeah, Di. Looks like rolled up leaves. Above ground it is then. Ta.

No, tutherun is a perrenial I think. I can't believe I've forgotten the name, lol. When she said you can have a free S... I said, Oh, is that the one with little red berries and could see it in my head...can I think of the name now??? Honestly, how bad is that?

You might have to take a photo lol, though Patty will probably know from your description.
I have a ground cover plant in my front garden which Mum pinched a piece of a few years ago. She obviously kept in in check but Dad has let it run and is now cussing about it. He realised last week that I had it and asked what it's called - do you think I can remember? No. I know I have a picture of it in a garden book so must go and find out. It's got lovely dark green leaves and pretty cream flowers that have a touch of pale orange, but will travel if you don't pull it out every now and then.

Is it Skimmia Lou?

when i dug the peony up lorraine , those fresh green shoots were just underground , that just might help you make up your mind i think

Skimmia or Leucathoe I would suggest at this time of year, probably more likely a skimmia as it was free. Strangely enough, I bought one only yesterday to go in a little square tub at the front of my porch!

Yes!!!!! It's a Skimmia Rubella.

That little conundrum has kept me awake all night.

ahhh I was jsut going to say skimmia rubella. super scent early on when its in flower. Likes acid soil that one, so maybe a bit of miracid food if your soil isnt acid?

my peony is shooting about an inch poking above the soil so i would agree about pokign it throguh showing. Some say peonies sulk for a bit when moved, so dont be dissapointed if it doesnt flower this year but not necesarily true cos patyt bought me three out from hers when I moved here and two of them flowered the same year.

Mystery solved, well done ladies.

Do any of those plants with the funny sounding names have common or garden names, for us not in the know.

well skimmia doesnt... it is just called skimmia. The rubella refers to the fact that this is the red berried version, there is also a not so good white.

A peony is a peony.. no common name that I know of.

Good question Billie, but as Maria says, those two don't. They are what they are, lol.

The eryngion that Kim sent me however, is commonly called the Sea Holly.