Peonies symbolizes nobility, value and peace; however, they can also signify shame.
The name originates from Greek mythology- Paeon was a bright student learning under the god Asclepius. Zeus turned Paeon into a flower to save him from the jealous Asclepius.
The peony comes from the genus Paeonia and is a member of the Paeoniacea family. The number of species range from 25 to 40. They are classified into five different flower forms; single, semi-double, Japanese and anemone. Two close relatives are the tree peony and the fern leaf peony.
Garden peonies bloom from spring to early summer. According to The Peony Bloom Time Project headed up by Michael Denny, a professor of economics at the University of Toronto, the peony bloom season can last up to 6-8 weeks. Visit http://bloomdate.paeonia.com/ for information on how to extend your peonies blooms. The fragrant flowers are deer resistant and drought resistant. They are native to Asia, Europe and Western North America (Zone 2), but are now grown across the globe.
Flower cultivators grow peonies for commercial use in New Zealand and Chile, which has extended the availability to florists of fresh cut peonies from spring to early-winter. The sweet fragrance and large blooms of the peonies have led the flower to be in high demand for brides and is a very popular wedding flower.
The petal colour varies from white, to blush, to lavender, to magenta. Modern cultivators have produced peonies in yellow, coral and bright red. Check with your local florist for the availability in your area. They are available in the tight bud (round hard ball stage) or the fully bloomed flower. The delicate blooms have a large petal count and open to be approximately 5-6 inches.
Garden peonies tip: Ants are drawn to the nectar of the peonies. Want to bring your blooms inside? Fill a container with water and submerge the freshly cut bloom upside down in the water. This will kill all the ants while not harming the blooms.
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