All Things Behind Your Favorite Flower… Peonies!
May 01, 2024
Hey there, peony lovers!
Let's talk about peonies, one of our most loved flowers we o-b-s-e-s-s over for its lush, full blooms and sweet scent (ahem… it’s our most common Mother’s Day flower for a reason!). If you're a fan of these beautiful blooms (and really, who isn't?), you're in for a treat! We've gathered everything you peo-need to know about peonies, from their history and symbolism to flower care tips and some of our favorite varieties. So, without further ado, let's dive into the wonderful world of peonies!
History and Symbolism Behind The Coveted Peony
Peonies have a long, luscious history that dates back quite a while (like waaay before online flower delivery services were ever a thing!). They're native to Asia, Southern Europe, and Western North America and have been adored for their absolutely incredible beauty and, for some, healing properties (peonies totally count as self-care in our book!). In some cultures, peonies are a symbol of wealth, honor, and prosperity. In Western cultures (like here in the states), peonies are associated with love, prosperity, and good fortune, making them a popular choice when selecting wedding flowers, sending flowers for Mother’s Day, and other special occasions.
Our Favorite Peony Varieties
Peonies grow in a variety of colors like stunning pinks and corals or whites or creams and can be found in single, semi-double, and double bloom forms. Some of the most popular peony varieties (and our absolute faves here at Farmgirl) include:
- Coral Charm Peonies. This peony variety has beautifully coral-colored blooms that fade to a pale peach as they bloom. These make for such a stunning focal flower when designing flower bouquets or arrangements!
- Sarah Bernhardt Peonies. Known for its large, fragrant, pink blooms, Sarah Bernhardt is one of the most popular peony varieties and one we love to use when designing our peony flower bouquets.
- Bowl of Beauty Peonies. This variety features large, single blooms with a bright pink outer petals and a creamy white center.
How To Take Care Of Your Peonies
While 92% of you choose peonies as your favorite flower, 100% of you recognize this flowers short vase life. Taking care of peonies is relatively easy, but there are a few key things to keep in mind to help your blooms last as long as possible (after all, longer is never long enough with peonies’ brief bloom life!):
- Give Your Peony Stems A Fresh Cut! Grab a pair of scissors or gardening shears and cut off about half an inch of each stem at a 45° angle. This helps to create a larger surface area for your peonies to soak up as much fresh water as they can, plus prevents the stems from sitting flush to the bottom of the vase (which is usually where bacteria likes to build up).
- Replace your vase water daily! Upon arrival of your peony flower delivery, they’ll be especially thirsty. Fill a large vase or vessel (even a large kitchen pot will do!) and drop your peonies in to hydrate. Be sure to remove any leaves that fall below the water line to help prevent bacteria from growing in the water. Thank us later.
- Process away unhappy leaves or petals! Remove tough outer leaves or petals on your peony buds or any sad blooms to help the peony head stay happy and healthy as it hydrates and blooms beautifully.
Peonies are truly a treasure in the flower world and they don’t last too long! Enjoy these beauties for yourself or a loved one and send a fresh flower delivery of peonies while they’re in season (we promise, you're totally gonna love them!)
Happy blooming!
xx,
Team Farmgirl