AK HCR6

Proclaims July 2015 as Alaska Peony Month to increase awareness and celebrate the state's peony industry.

University of Alaska Fairbanks began peony cultivation research in 2001, with commercial production starting in 2004 in Fairbanks, Kenai, and Homer.

Alaska is the only U.S. region harvesting peonies during July, August, and September; 2013 harvest yielded 75,264 stems with 59,949 brought to market.

State has over 100,000 peony roots planted by at least 51 commercial growers; 2011 saw nine growers market 16,000 fresh cut stems domestically and internationally.

Projects over 1,000,000 harvestable stems annually within five years at an average price of $3 per stem, with per-acre production values of $50,000-$100,000.