After the cold and dark winter months and as early as mid-April, when spring finally arrives, peonies appear bringing a splash of colour and joy. These amazing blooms are at their best from May, June and even mid-July and there’s a particular quality of the peonies that is hard to define, but it makes especially attractive.

A bouquet of Peonies is a feast for the eyes and the heart. There is an abundance of broad petals and leaves and they come in subtle harmonies of colours: varying from delicate hues of pale yellow, white, dusty, powdery, candy pink, to the bright and vibrant purples and reds. The senses awaken by their sweet and rose-like fragrance and sometimes with a hint of citrus.

Why are they called P e o n y?

The name perhaps comes from Paeon, the name of the physician of the Greek Gods, and so called for the plant’s healing qualities, because in the past the roots, flowers and seeds were formally used in medicine.

Why are Peonies so popular and why everybody loves them?

How would you describe a peony?

✓ Colourful ✓ Plump ✓ Delicate ✓ Sensuous ✓ Full Bodied ✓ Lavish. ✓ Elegant ✓ Lush ✓ Sweetly Scented ✓ Long Lasting ✓ Celebratory of Life ✓ Heavenly and... ✓Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

I, for one, am ticking all the boxes! Each individual flower appears as a work of art, with multiple layers of petals forming tight round buds that then magically unfurl to reveal ripples of blooms. Just heavenly!

Also, these amazing flowers never ceased to inspire artists as they were an ideal subject to paint them in loose, sensuous brushwork. For example, Peonies (1865) painted by the Impressionist Edouard Manet can be seen at The Met Museum, New York.

Peonies and Brides

Often described as a rose without thorns, in the West culture is a symbol of romantic love and it is often used at weddings.

Most romantic of all, the bridal bouquet with peonies! For an idyllic and dreamy look, a bridal bouquet with peonies is essential.

What are the combinations that work best with this type of flower? Peonies can match with a multitude of flowers, especially with roses, tulips, hydrangeas and other wild summer flowers as fillers. For the bridesmaids why not opt for a corsage or a small bouquet of peonies complimenting the tones of their outfits.

Another amazing thing about peonies is that they come in a multitude of shades of colours, they are not just white or off-white and they are often used in these range of tones because the effect is simply wonderful. However, if you are in love with this beautiful flower and your wedding arrangement and style directs you to a brighter colour, do not worry. Peonies do not come only in pink or pastel tones they also come in brighter varieties such as fuchsia, peach, burgundy, lilac or even dark red.

Peonies in the World

The name perhaps comes from Paeon the name of the physician of the Greek Gods and so-called for the plant!s healing qualities. In the past the roots, flowers and seeds were used in medicine.

Looking at Eastern cultures, in China for example, the peony expresses good luck, as often Chinese people decorate their homes with paintings of peonies as auspicious of good fortune.

There is a mystic fascination for this flower. It embodies love and affection, prosperity, honour, courage, nobility of soul and when in full bloom, peace. The peony owns a sumptuous and fragile beauty. The large impressive corollas, sweetly scented open on a button of golden stamens, they are a splendour that lasts a blink of an eye, but is the fleeting moment of perfection, the thrill of a luminous moment.

What’s your favourite peony?