Very Important Guide to Harvesting Peonies
An easy, romantic three-step plan to stretch out the life of your peonies.
Dear Beautiful Friends,
Growing up, I always knew my mom was in an awe state when she started a sentence with, “Christ almighty.”
“Christ almighty, look at that rhododendron. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful in all your bloody life?*”
*hear it with an Australian accent.
This has been quite the Christ almighty spring in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve had rain, sun, chilly weather, warm weather, the full potpourri of meteorological sensations. The lemon-lime of new growth has been lush and jungly, and the flower life has been SO BLOODY BEAUTIFUL.
But I’m not here to talk about rhodies and green leafy trees. I’m here to talk about the pillow-y, bed-head-y, most lovable soul music for the eyes:
THE PEONY
This year, seemingly out of nowhere—or, maybe from last year’s singular bloom?—we have a peony bush in our backyard!
Fun peony fact:
Peonies are said to symbolize joy, love, honor, wealth, happiness, and good fortune. And peace. In other words:
💥EVERYTHING WE COULD EVER WANT💥
Peonies have been hit or miss for us. We plant a few, they don’t come back, or we get the kind that are paper-thin, known among conoscenti as the “single peony.” They do have their gentle beauty, but c’mon, I want the voluptuous peony, not the artisanal one.
Sidenote:
Ten years ago, I created a collection of Little People scenarios. Here’s one that featured a single blooming peony, at our last house.
How do you make your precious peonies last?
I find it tricky, the choice between leaving the blooms on their mother plant, and chopping off their lush blossom faces and sticking them in vases around the house.
Have it both ways, I say!
Step one
Look for errant blooms, the ones that droop on their stems and are one pucker away from kissing the ground.
I saved this peony and placed it on the windowsill. Steve bought me that sweet vase for Valentine’s Day.
Christ almighty, what a lush riot of gorgeousness.
Step two
Take the flower/s with you, wherever you are in the house. That’s what I do, so I can squeeze all the sensory exultation from their short lifespans. My cut flowers become my temporary pets. This one enjoyed the kitchen, the TV room, my office, and during her last couple of days and nights, the bedroom.
Step three
I don’t have a photo of the peony petals’ death carpet, scattered all over the bedroom dresser.
No matter, I turned our bedroom into a honeymoon suite—surprising not only my husband, but myself.
We had the evening suite going for almost a week, taking turns.
The rest of the peonies remained in situ, on their mother-plant until the very end, when Steve clipped them and arranged them into a favorite yellow glass vase. Perfectly timed.
PS. To all you unenthusiastic bed-makers, I SEE YOU.
PPS: The painting is Georgia O’Keeffe’s Hollyhock Pink with the Pedernal, 1937
What are some of your favorite spring blooms this year?
🌺🌺🌺🌺
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Christ Almighty what a fun read:) I love so much how you find joy and beauty in life 💕🌸
I immediately heard your mom’s voice in my head 🩷 and sometimes now I say that to myself when I see something amazing!