Blink, and you’ll miss them! It’s the time of the year every flower lover waits for: peony season! There’s isn’t a single person who doesn’t like peonies, except those who haven’t been introduced to their feminine beauty.
Peonies only bloom for a short time, from April to June, making them hard to find the rest of the year. Opulent, lush, and whimsical peonies have a captivating scent and make a statement in every arrangement. Unlike many other flowers, they are so fluffy and full that they can make impressive bouquets all on their own.
But while peonies’ beauty is self-evident, their long history is less obvious. Keep reading to discover 12 interesting facts about peonies that will make you love these stunning spring blooms even more than you already do.
- 1. Legend has it that the Peony is named after Paeon, a student of the god of medicine Asclepius, from Greek mythology. Zeus transformed Paeon into a beautiful flower to save him from the wrath of his teacher Asclepius who wanted to kill him out of jealousy. Maybe turning Paeon into a flower wasn’t the best way out, but it can’t be all bad if it gave us the peony!
- 2. Peonies are native in Asia, Southern Europe, and Western North America, and generally, need cool climates. This explains their exceptionally short growing season.
- 3. The best time for planting peonies is in early fall before the ground freezes.
- 4. While peonies in vases only live 5 days, if cultivated properly, a peony can grow in your garden for up to 100 years blooming annually!
- 5. Peonies come in pretty much all of the colors of the rainbow, except blue. Interestingly, the pink peonies are more fragrant than any other variety.
- 6. While too much potassium might not be good for you, it’s perfectly fine for peonies. In fact, peonies love potassium because it’s essential for their stem strength and helps to resist disease.
- 7. The nectar that forms on the outside of the flower buds tend to attract ants that actually play an important role in the way peonies bloom. Basically, in order to get to the nectar the ants help to open the buds. Although peonies will bloom without ants, the ants speed up the process and also help to keep damaging insects away.
- 8. Depending on the variety, peonies can grow very large – sometimes reaching 10 inches in diameter (that’s as big as a dinner plate)! The older the bush, the bigger the blooms usually grow.
- 9. The peony is the state flower of Indiana, the national flower of China, and the 12th wedding anniversary flower.
- 10. As the national flower in China, peony (which means “the most beautiful” in Chinese) is a symbol of peace, stability, success, and prosperity. For this reason, it is very popular in Chinese art. Paintings of peonies are often used in homes and offices and are believed to bring good luck. There was even a time when peonies were even considered a luxury and would cost thousands of dollars to buy even one flower stem.
- 11. Peonies in shades of pink and white are a symbol of good fortune and a happy marriage. They embody romance and love, and are one of the most popular flowers used in wedding bouquets.
- 12. It’s best to buy peonies still in buds instead of open blossoms to increase their longevity. Warmer temperatures help them open more quickly, while they will remain closed longer in cooler areas.
Take advantage of the upcoming peony season while you can with a fresh bouquet of peonies that will delight your senses. To show your affection and appreciation, share the joy of these stunning spring blooms with your loved ones and friends! They deserve to experience the enchanting beauty of the prettiest flower of the season, too! And if you haven’t had enough of flower facts yet, check out Dandelion: A Backyard Weed with Health Benefits.
Image #3 by julie
