Peony Hybridizers: Pavlova Larisa

Larisa Pavlova

Country:

Russia

Short biography:

My name is Larisa Pavlova. I am 67 years old. I have been dealing with peonies for almost 30 years, and now I have about 700 varieties of peonies in my collection. My garden is located in the west of Moscow. I tried to fit the collection into the landscape of the garden, although it was not easy. In May, species peonies and tree peonies bloom first, followed by hybrids and finally lactiflora peonies. In 2002, I joined the Moscow Florists Club and the Peony Grower School, which was led by the legendary florist and breeder V.M. Dubrov.

He became my teacher and great friend, instilling in me an endless love for peonies and inspiring me to engage in breeding experiments. For 20 years, I have participated in annual peony exhibitions, and my exhibits have repeatedly won awards in various categories. I am delighted to share my expertise with peony enthusiasts through my books and articles. In 2010, my first book “My Passion is Peonies” (varieties and peony cultivation) was published, followed by “Peonies. The Art of Garden Design.”

In 2019, the book “National Peonies. Register of Varieties and Seedlings” was published (the history of the development of Russian peony breeding from 1945 to 2019). Currently, the second part of the book ” National Peonies” (the development of Russian breeding from 2019 to 2026) is being prepared for publication, where 600 new varieties will be published from this period.

More information:

https://pionsad-pavlova.ru

https://vk.com/id33361178

Peony hybridizers series

Michel Rivière (from the eponymous nursery) and Larisa Pavlova

How did you first get involved in peony hybridizing?

My first experience was in 2015

What was your starting material for your hybridizing?

I collected peony seeds from my garden.

What are your goals in hybridizing peonies?

I’m interested in herbaceous peonies with original colors and strong stems.

Do you mostly depend on open pollination or do you mostly make controlled crosses? 

How large is your hybridizing program?

This year I planted 200 seedlings

Do you have any plants in the market?

All information is on my website in the Catalog section

Do you know the American Peony Society (APS)? Are your plants registered there?

Not yet.

Can you describe a few of your plants that you consider the best or most beautiful and which are available now?

My variety Lidiya is my current favorite.

Peony Лидия (Lidiya) (Pavlova, 2022, Russia) Hybrid. (Pink Vanguard x pollen mixture). Double, semi-rose form. The flower form develops with age (may produce single or semi-double flowers). Pink with a coral tint, fading to pale pink while maintaining a more saturated color deep within the petals. The petals are upturned and ruffled. Outer petals are large and rounded. Stamens are visible in the center. Fertile. Pleasant fragrance. The bush is upright with medium-green leaves. Flower diameter: 17 cm. Plant height: 80 cm. Early blooming period. Named in memory of the author’s mother.

Фантазёр – Fantazyor (“Dreamer”) (Pavlova, 2026). Hybrid. (Lidiya x S-15/20). Single to semi-double. Two rows of wide, rounded petals; a cluster of yellow stamens in the center, from which a tuft of petals of the primary color develops. The central petals are arranged in a propeller-like or chaotic fashion. Saturated pink with a fuchsine tint; the petal coloration is slightly blurred with visible veining, later fading slightly, and a white border may appear on some petals. The bush is tall and upright. Stems are thick and strong. Leaves are hybrid-type and medium-green. Plant height: 95 cm. Flower diameter: 17 cm. Develops rapidly. Early blooming period.

МАРЬЯША – Marʹyasha (Pavlova, 2023). Hybrid (Salmon Dream x pollen mixture). Semi-double to double. The flower form develops with age. Outer petals are wide, rounded, and cup-shaped; central petals are randomly arranged and point upwards. Pearl-pink with lighter edges and deeper color saturation toward the center of the petals. Fades to light pink by the end of blooming. A few yellow stamens are visible at the base of the petals in the center. Plant height up to 100 cm. Flower diameter 18–22 cm. The bush is tall and upright. Stems are thick and erect, supporting the massive flowers well. Leaves are large and medium-green. Resilient to wind and bad weather. A landscape variety, excellent for cutting. Early-mid blooming period. Named in honor of the author’s granddaughter.

Скромница – Skromnitsa (“Modest girl”) (Pavlova ,2025) Hybrid. Single flower form. One to two rows of petals; petals are large, rounded, and heavily ruffled. Bright pink in color with a white spot in the center at the base of the petals. Features a large pompom of yellow stamens; stigmas are burgundy. The bush is tall and upright. Stems are strong; leaves are large, elongated, and medium-green. Plant height: 90 cm. Flower diameter: 18 cm. No side buds. Very early blooming period.

Ulybka Mamy (Pavlova, 2018) Lactiflora. Single, cup-shaped, petals are rounded, with dense texture, slightly ruffled. Fuchsia-pink upon opening, then pink, petal edges with a light border, pale pink almost white toward the base, with a small cluster of bright yellow stamens in the center, almost no fading. Flower diameter – 16 cm. Plant height – 70 cm. The bush is average-sized, stems are strong, with a reddish tint, leaves are dark green. The fragrance is pleasant. Mid-season blooming period.

Злата – Zlata (Pavlova, 2026). Hybrid. (Sweet Lemonade x Y-158). Semi-double to double. Two rows of very large, rounded, and slightly ruffled outer petals. The central petals are randomly arranged and point upwards; at their base in the center are straw-yellow stamens. Lemon-yellow in color, with the outer petals being slightly paler. The bush is powerful with strong stems and large, dark-green leaves. Plant height: 90 cm. Flower diameter: 18 cm. Profuse blooming and vigorous growth. Resistant to bad weather and diseases. Early blooming period.

Первая Любовь – Pervaya Lyubovʹ (“First Love”) (Pavlova, 2026) Hybrid. (Northrepps x Lemon Chiffon). Double. The outer petals are large, wide, rounded, cup-shaped, and slightly ruffled. The central petals are rounded, randomly arranged, and point upwards. The flower is pastel pink, later turning cream with a pink glow in the center and deeper color at the base of the petals. A few yellow stamens are visible in the center. Plant height is 70 cm. Flower diameter is 18 cm. The bush is short and spreading, with strong, thick stems and healthy foliage. It produces seeds. There are no side buds. It grows rapidly and blooms profusely. It has a pleasant fragrance. Early flowering period. S-14 was published during an online seedling show in 2020.

ПРАСКОВЬЯ ЩЕГОЛЕВА – Praskovʹya Shchyogoleva (Pavlova, 2022). Hybrid (Blushing Princess x unknown). Single flower form. Large, snow-white flower with two rows of substantial (up to 8 cm wide) cup-shaped petals with wavy edges. The center forms a large hemisphere of numerous curly stamens. Stigmas are red. At the beginning of blooming, there is a light pink-cream tint. The bush is upright, of medium height (60 cm), and well-foliated up to the base of the flower. Leaves are green, medium-wide, and pointed. No side buds. Produces pollen. Fragrance is absent. Early blooming period. Participated in the SPR online seedling shows in 2020-21. The variety is named after Praskovya Shchegoleva, a fellow countrywoman from Voronezh, who performed an unprecedented feat during the war by saving a wounded Soviet pilot—an act inscribed in golden letters in the history of the Great Patriotic War (1941-45).

Суздаль – Suzdalʹ (Pavlova, 2023) Lactiflora. (Mademoiselle Jeanne Rivière x open). Anemone form. The outer petals are large and deep pink. The “bomb” consists of narrow, needle-like petals of a pale pink tone, with more saturated color deep within. Plant height: 90 cm. Flower diameter: 16 cm. The bush is spreading. Stems are long but strong and hold the flowers well. Excellent for cutting. Mid-season blooming period. The variety is named after the ancient Russian city.

ОТРАДА- Otrada – (“Joy”) (Pavlova, 2023). Lactiflora. (Charlies White x open). Double, bomb-type. The outer petals are large, rounded, and light pink. The central petals are medium-sized, pointing upwards, and are the color of pink pearls or white. Between the “bomb” and the outer petals, there is a collar of numerous shortened yellow petaloids, which create a yellow-cream glow within the petals. Carpels are often underdeveloped; when developed, the stigmas are white. Plant height: 80 cm. Flower diameter: 16 cm. Fragrance is pleasant and light. The bush is compact and well-foliated. Stems are strong. Leaves are elongated, pointed, and medium-green. Profuse bloomer. Mid-late blooming period.

Серафим – Serafim (Pavlova, 2026). Lactiflora. (Вольный ветер (Volnyy Veter) x open). Double, semi-spherical to spherical. Upon opening, the form is flat, then the number of petals increases and the flower rounds into a ball shape. Snow-white, with red streaks on the outer petals. In the center, several red staminodes create a very beautiful contrast against the white background. Plant height: 70 cm. Flower diameter: 16 cm. The bush is short with strong stems; flowers are positioned directly above the medium-green foliage. Pleasant fragrance. Mid-late blooming period. Named in honor of the Russian saint and elder, Seraphim of Sarov.

Бабье Лето – Bab’e Leto (“Indian Summer”) (Pavlova, 2026). Hybrid (Blushing Princess x S-15/20). Semi-double to double. It maintains a tulip-like (cup) shape for a long time during opening. The outer petals are large, rounded, and cup-shaped. White with a cream-pink glow. There are a few stamens and shortened staminodes in the center. Stigmas are pink. Plant height: 70 cm. Flower diameter: 16 cm. The bush is wide, of a border type. Stems are strong. Leaves are medium-green and matte. Fertile. Early blooming period.

Тамара – Tamara (Pavlova, 2026). Hybrid. (Northrepps x pollen mixture). Double, rose-form. The flower is flat in shape; a small tufted bud develops from the center among a few yellow stamens. White with a pink blush in the center of the flower; a red edge appears in places along the margins of the central petals. The bush is compact and well-foliated, with strong, thick stems and large, hybrid-type, medium-green leaves. Plant height: 80 cm. Flower diameter up to 18 cm. Pleasant fragrance. Mid-early blooming period. Named in memory of the author’s mother-in-law.

Южная Ночь – Yuzhnaya Nochʹ – (“Southern Night”) (Pavlova, 2023). Hybrid. Semi-double to double with an open center. Deep fuchsine-pink color with wide petals, the edges of which are gracefully upturned and silvered with a light border. In the center, there is a small ring of golden stamens, from which pistils with striking white stigmas peek out, creating a beautiful contrast with the petals. The bush is compact with strong, stiff stems; the leaves are dark green and medium-sized. Plant height: 70 cm. Flower diameter: 17 cm. Profuse and long-lasting blooming. Excellent for cutting. Mid-early blooming period.

Within your current seedlings, what are the most promising ones?

Are you in contact or working together with other peony hybridizers? 

Yes, I would like to keep in touch with breeders from other countries.

Do you have unregistered plants that are not good enough to introduce but have something ‘special’?

Yes, I do.

Name a few peony varieties from other hybridizers which you especially like?

Heather (Hollingsworth, 2017), Pastelegance (Seidl, 1989)

Updates:
-Jan 16th: added a longer biography, new cultivars added.
-Jan 18th: descriptions added for the cultivars

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