Let’s talk about Peonies

It feels like I wait ALL winter long for our Peonies to pop in the garden. You see we have to be quick! They’re only in season from late April until mid-late June depending on their variety.

As the spring tulip, hyacinth, daffodil, and narcissi bulbs are fading as does the ice-cool nip in the air too. It’s a special time, from mid-April you’ll find me pacing my garden’s border’s on Peony watch. Yes! It’s true.

Paeony Paeonia Or Peony as they are more commonly known are herbaceous plants meaning they die back to ground level every winter, so just imagine the excitement spotting their first green shoots of foliage starting to appear as a “heads up” sign that they’re on their way!

Tall slender stems reach up towards the sun with small golf-ball-sized flower heads perched on the top. Over the following weeks they grow larger into in some cases the size of small football’s. That’s a whole lot of nurturing within until their unveiling from mid-May – June in the UK.

An all-time favourite pastel pink Peony “Sarah Bernhardt” (pictured above in my workroom) named after a French Stage Actress. These produce large heavy heads of ruffles upon ruffles of pastel pink petals, reminding me of a ballerinas tutu.

I have a couple of these in my garden (Pictured above), they need supporting with a frame to support the weight of the large heads as they grow, they’ve been known to bend over towards the ground with their weight and after a rain shower which weighs them down further, so it’s worth supporting them to prevent the stems snapping.

Peonies for weddings.

I have had the pleasure of working with bride’s who have set their wedding date during Peony season just to be able to carry these exquisite blooms in their wedding bouquet! Well, if you’re planning a wedding during Peony season then absolutely why not?

A bridal bouquet above from a previous wedding had peony nestled amongst roses, scented stocks, honeysuckle, Veronica, and clematis. Aromatherapy right there on your wedding day!

Not only Pink, peony is also available in white, pale pink, magenta, and coral to name a few, they are particularly popular in the wedding season.

“Coral Charm” has been incredibly popular over the past few years. Large heads of coral pink transform to coral and fade to the palest peach colour. (taken above) it is a fascinating process to watch if you have the opportunity. They open quickly in a warm light environment.

I get so much fulfilment including Peony stem’s grown here before my eyes when & where I can, I always hope that they are as appreciated as they were before they left. Wether in gift bouquets or wedding florals for brides I’m so proud to see them on their way.

Also, I source peony from Holland where growers extend their growing season as long as possible to enable Florists to fulfill wish lists for as long as possible, that said, the earliest and the latest peonies of the season can have an eyewatering price tag attached to them too!