Do you dream of having peonies in your home but aren’t sure how to grow them? Are you looking to decorate your wedding with peonies? Did someone give you a bouquet of peonies and you’re wondering how to care for them?
You’re in the right place.
Symbolic of Mother’s Day, the Peony is a gorgeous flower that I love to work with as a florist. Very versatile, it’s perfect for both bouquets and stunning outdoor arrangements.
Today, I’m sharing all the secrets of this flower and how to cultivate it, so you, too, can enjoy it every day.
Known since ancient times for its antispasmodic properties, the Peony is also a stunning ornamental flower that symbolizes a timid yet sincere declaration of love or affection. These flowers will be perfect for decorating a wedding, whether for floral accessories or the bouquets and arrangements that will be created. When grown in the garden, it requires very little maintenance and thrives in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. If protected from frost in its early years, it will reward you with magnificent blooms!
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- The true symbolism of Peonies
- Tips for extending their lifespan in a bouquet
- How to decorate your wedding with this flower
- Advice for successfully planting Peonies in your garden
What Does the Peony Symbolize? 💬
Highly valued, the peony is a stunning flower that can be found in white, pink, or red starting in May. In the following paragraphs, I will share more details about it.
A Bit of History…
Originally from Europe and China, the Peony is a flower with medicinal properties known since ancient times. Hippocrates, a Greek physician from the fourth century BC, used it to treat pain associated with digestive and uterine spasms. These medicinal uses were also widespread in China, where the plant was extensively cultivated and later became well-known for its ornamental qualities.
When it comes to mythology, the Peony is no exception! Its remarkable qualities were celebrated in Greek myths. For instance, Paeon, the physician of the gods, is said to have healed Hades using the properties of this flower.
What Does This Flower Symbolize?
As the star flower of Mother’s Day, the Peony symbolizes the arrival of sunny days. In China, where it is regarded as one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, it represents femininity and love. It is also a symbol of success.
In the West, it is associated with the values of sincerity and shyness. Through the language of flowers, the Peony allows you to express your affection for your loved ones with humility. It’s the perfect flower to show someone how much you care about them. Therefore, giving your mom a bouquet of peonies for her special day is a wonderful way to tell her that she is important to you and that you love her dearly.
How to Care for a Bouquet of Peonies? 💐
As a cut flower, Peonies are typically sold from April to July. Whether they are white, pink, or red, the care for a bouquet of peonies remains the same. To enjoy them for as long as possible, I recommend the following:
✔️ Trim the stem at a diagonal angle by about two centimeters as soon as it starts to turn brown.
✔️ Properly strip the part of the stem that will be in contact with water to prevent any leaves from decomposing there.
✔️ Place your vase in the shade, in a cool and dry location
✔️ Keep your flowers away from cigarette smoke, fruits, and any other chemical substances (such as sprays and aerosols) that could cause them to wilt faster
✔️ Use a large vase filled with water. Peonies are flowers that drink a lot and require clean, fresh water, which you should change approximately every 48 hours.
By following these tips, you should be able to keep your peonies in a vase for over a week, as long as they weren’t fully open when you received them!
Using Peonies as Wedding Decorations 👰
Since it blooms in the spring and early summer, the Peony is particularly well-suited for decorating weddings that take place during this season.
What Flower Pairs Well with Peonies?
It’s an impressive flower that often stands out on its own.
However, you can pair it with other plants that will enhance its beauty if you’d like:
- The Rose 🌹
➡️ In this case, use an equal number of peonies and roses, and make sure to select the roses that are fully bloomed.
- Baby’s Breath, Wax Flower, and Limonium…
➡️ These small romantic blossoms 🌼 will highlight the Peony.
- Foliage such as Eucalyptus 🌿, Pistachio, or Olive, to create a natural contrast.
What floral arrangements can we create with this flower?
The Peony can be used in all types of floral arrangements, as long as they are a bit voluminous. It is perfect for decorations, floral walls, bouquets, or any other compositions.
For a bohemian wedding, it will be a perfect floral touch for your bridal bouquet and for creating a very stylish oversized flower crown.
Are you interested in this trend? Join us at our specialty shop for floral items to explore our selection of high-quality synthetic flower crowns, featuring peonies and many other blooms.
Where to Plant a Peony in the Garden? 👩🌾
Do you want to plant peonies to enjoy them year after year in your garden? You’re in luck, as there are over 40 species to choose from, and I’m sure you’ll find the perfect one for you.
Before Planting…
To start, before any planting, I recommend selecting quality seedlings. Look for well-developed, balanced, and straight shoots with plenty of leaves that are free from spots and pests. This will help you get flowers more quickly.
Where to Plant?
Peonies are plants that require very little maintenance and are generally easy to grow. Here are some tips to help you achieve the best results for your planting:
✔️ Peonies love the sun ☀️ and will thrive best if they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
✔️ These are plants suited for a temperate climate 🌡️. They enjoy the cool temperatures of winter, but they don’t tolerate frost very well, especially during the first few years.
✔️ They prefer well-aerated, rich soil 🌱. You can enhance the quality of your soil by adding potting mix and compost at the time of planting.
When and How to Plant Them?
I recommend replanting them after the last frost in the spring, to provide them with the best possible environment for rooting.
To start, dig a hole that’s appropriately sized (1.5 times the size of the pot or at least 12 inches on each side). Place your potting soil and compost in the hole, making sure to mix and moisten them beforehand. Finally, add your plant and fill in the hole around it.
👉 If you’re planting roots without a stem, make sure to position the highest root no more than two centimeters below the surface. This way, your plant won’t exhaust itself trying to reach the sunlight it needs to survive.
How to Take Care of It? 🌱
Once your peonies are planted, you might be wondering how to take care of them. Here are some tips to ensure you enjoy a spectacular bloom by the end of spring.
How to Help Her Grow in the Garden?
During the first few months after planting, water your peonies regularly so they can establish their roots and grow properly.
Every spring, you can provide them with compost and a fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium to help them bloom.
⚠️ When it comes to fertilizer, avoid giving your peonies a nitrogen-rich mix, as this will encourage them to focus on growing foliage instead of producing flowers.
What to Do After Flowering?
Your peonies have given you beautiful flowers? It’s now time to take care of them so you can enjoy them again next year.
To do this, simply cut off the faded flowers. Avoid cutting the leaves: the plant will need them to grow its flowers next year!
Does the Peony Fear Frost?
While this plant requires the coolness of winter to thrive, it will need special care during its first few years to become frost-resistant later on (down to -20° F!).
Here are some tips to help your peonies winter without worry:
- In the first two years, protect them with a winter cover and mulch around the base
- Prune them before the frost
- Do not plant them during freezing temperatures
What diseases and pests can affect it?
Paeonies are not very susceptible to these issues. They can occasionally be affected by Botrytis, a fungus that produces mold on the buds and other parts of the plant. In this case, carefully remove the affected parts using pruning shears.
🐜 In the spring, you may notice that the buds are covered in a sticky substance that attracts ants. This is completely normal, and these little insects pose no threat to your precious peonies! 🙂
I hope this article has provided you with the information you needed about these beautiful flowers… If you have any other questions, feel free to ask in the comments. I would be very happy to respond!