May’s Flower of the Month - Peony
The month of May heralds the arrival of summer and nowhere more so as a florist shop, where the Peony season arrives. These big, beautiful and blousy flowers have a relatively short season so it’s truly worth appreciating them whilst they are around. Cut Peonies come in range of colours from all shades of pink through to deep red and white and cream colours too. The white variety (Duchess) can look like giant snowballs on the end of their delicate stems.
Most commonly available in good florists, throughout the Peony season, is the pale sugar-pink “Sarah Bernhardt”. This is a ‘double’ variety with larger outer petals, which open to reveal a mass of smaller petals, giving the peony it’s full and blousy appearance. Some ’single layer’ varieties of Peony only have a layer of large o
uter petals that open to show a heart of yellow stamens.
If you buy cut Peonies try to buy them when the buds are big, showing colour and about to burst open - this will ensure they will open fully. If the buds are too small and tight they may not always open. Remove most of the leaves of the peony (the leaves are weak and tend to wilt quickly) and cut about 1 inch or more off the slightly woody stems. Place in a vase or jug of clean water and re-cut the stems every few days to ensure they continue to drink properly. Peonies are thirsty flowers so always check the water level.
Combine Peonies with with Roses, Lilies, Antirrhinums (’Snap-dragons’) and mixed foliage for a quintessential English summer garden look.
Further information about Peonies can be found on the Flowers & Plants Association website, click here for details.�