Richmond Peonies

Peony Farm,

Tasmania, Australia.

Welcome

“We love peonies, the signature spring bloom.

From one small bud, emerges an ebullient, multi-petalled flower all in one short exhilarating season.”

Our Farm

We’ve been growing peonies for more than 20 years, it’s been a journey of many successes, and some failures, also innovation and constant learning. We now have 35 varieties of herbaceous and Itoh peonies planted over 1.5 hectares that flower from early October to late November.

As well as peonies, we have Tasmania’s largest planting of Paniculata Hydrangea, and a range of fruit; 5 varieties of sweet cherries, tart Morello cherries, 5 heritage varieties of Quince, 4 varieties of pears, blackberries, loganberries and boysenberries.

We are just 3 km from the Richmond village, and Tasmania’s heritage listed bridge, Australia’s oldest surviving stone arch bridge which spans the Coal River. The village contains many Georgian stone buildings, the 1825 Richmond Gaol, historic churches, craft shops, cafes and seriously tempting antique shops.

How we farm.

We try our best to care for the land.

Our farm runs adjacent to the Coal River, on the traditional country of the Mumirimina people who were part of the Oyster Bay nation. The headwaters of the Coal River are in the Tasmanian Midlands near Tunnack and flow through the Coal River Valley and the town of Richmond and spills into the Pitt Water, part of an environmentally significant Ramsar designated wetland.

We focus on soil health by adding compost, biochar, lime and gypsum to improve soil structure. We mulch heavily to both improve soil health, boost soil carbon, promote water infiltration, to reduce weed competition and the need to use herbicides. We compost hay, horse manure and organic farm waste.

We also irrigate and foliar spray with formulations of beneficial microorganisms, macro and micronutrients and biostimulants, to help both the soil and the plants be as healthy and as resilient as possible.

We have our own Richmond Cherries Landcare group (it’s a small group!) and have planted tree shelter belts for biodiversity and windbreaks to create a gentler microclimate. Our large raucous flock of Guinea Fowl keep slugs and snails in check.