ANCHORAGE – It’s a relatively new industry, but Alaska’s peony trade is bringing worldwide attention and financial gain for farmers because of Alaska’s late growing season.
Rita Jo Shoultz, owner of Alaska Perfect Peony in Homer, joined KTVA’s Daybreak Monday to talk about the budding industry.
Shoultz started growing peonies as a result of a request from her friend, Professor Pat Holloway from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. One of Holloway’s students growing peony for the cut flower market as his thesis subject. The student found peonies in Alaska bloom when no other peonies are available in the world. Holloway asked Shoultz to do a trial.
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