Peony Hybridizers: Bijman Paul

Paul Bijman

Country:

Netherlands

Short biography:

My name is Paul Bijman. I’m 43 years old. I studied plant sciences at Wageningen University. I’ve been breeding peonies for 11 years. I’ve been involved in tulip breeding for 19 years. I’m a co-shareholder in Borst Flowers. We have 15 hectares (37 acres) for cut flower production and 20  hectares (50 acres) for root production. We specialize in the roots and cut flower production of exclusive peonies with new, innovative characteristics. Through our own breeding efforts, we strive to develop a distinctive peony range that will allow us to stand out in the market.

More information:

https://borstflowers.nl

Peony hybridizers series

How did you first get involved in peony hybridizing?

In 2006, I started a tulip and zantedeschia breeding program in collaboration with Wageningen University & Research. In 2010, my business partner and I purchased our first peonies abroad. In 2014, I made my first crosses. I maintain close contact with other peony enthusiasts, who inspire me. I also try to read everything there is to know about peonies.

What was your starting material for your hybridizing?

I started with a very diverse collection. I bought old and new varieties from all over the world. The plants were assessed for their potential as cut flowers. I also collected many wild species to crossbreed for new traits. Now I’m at the stage where I use many of my own seedlings for crossbreeding.

What are your goals in hybridizing peonies?

The main goal of our breeding program is to have our own assortment consisting of peonies that possess highly innovative characteristics making us distinctive in the cut flower market. Therefore, our main focus is also on cut flower characteristics. The following characteristics are important to us: large bud size, bud color, opening well, beautiful color, attractive flower shape, large flower and strong stem, easy foliage processing, and high flower production. Our breeding focuses on good semi-double and double-flowered varieties. Hybrids are used to obtain very early peonies (late April/early May), and lactiflora varieties are used to obtain extremely late peonies (mid-June).

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

How large is your hybridizing program?

We make thousands of crosses annually. Because many interspecific crosses are made, seed yields are sometimes low. Seeds are grown separately for two years, after which some 2,500 seedlings are planted annually for another growing cycle of 3 years. From these 2,500, a maximum of 50 are selected for propagation. These are then transplanted for a new growing cycle of 3 years again. From these 50, two or three are finally selected to continue.

Do you have any plants in the market?

I started breeding in 2014. We’ve now evaluated the first selections three times and are propagating them. We’re propagating numbers 1422, 1428, and 1501 to get enough plants to cut our first flowers from them. So, we don’t advertise seedlings on our website. We do regularly receive international visitors who are happy to buy seedlings from us that they find interesting.

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

Currently, there are no varieties from our own breeding program available. We have only released the cultivar “Dynasty”. This is a lactiflora we once purchased at an auction from a peony collector. This lactiflora excels in flower production, bud presentation, and bud shape.

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

We think number 1428 is a truly superb peony. It has gorgeous buds, a very attractive bush habit, and a perfect flower shape! 1422 has fantastic double flowers and large buds. 1501 has XL buds and is extremely early. There’s still a lot more to come, but the others need to be thoroughly assessed first.

Selection #1428, bud and flower

Selection #1422

Selection #1501, ready to cut outside April 29th.

Other seedlings, click to enlarge and read a short description below the image.

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

I’m in contact with a lot of peony breeders and collectors. It’s nice to exchange ideas. I’ve never received seeds from other breeders. I’ve never asked for them either. I have received pollen occasionally. I mainly try to buy plants, so I can properly assess their value in the breeding program. The photos of the flowers are often beautiful, but as a new cut flower peony, there needs to be more than just a pretty flower. Everything has to be perfect to be a winner.

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

Etched Salmon (Cousins/Klehm, 1981) is the perfect hybrid. It has a stunning bud color, a beautiful flower shape, is proliferous and has easy-to-process foliage. Next to that one we bought our P. lactiflora variety Dynasty at an auction. This lactiflora has beautiful, wide, flat pink buds, is fully double-flowered, and is incredibly productive!

Final question. Any remarks or suggestions you may have…

I really appreciate that you’ve taken the time to put in so much effort. I always enjoy browsing your website. Keep up the good work!

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