Your CartPeony season is still here, but only if you grow your own, because most bloom from April to the very end of June. But for some of you luckies, the very last ones are still coming up in your garden if your area has had a late spring warm up.
If you have read my blog for awhile, you know that I’m all in love with these exquisite blooms! There is just something so special about peonies, they are so lush, and then there are all those delicate, whisper fine petals, they make me swoon!
But first, if you came here via my friends Pam, Mary or Shirley for FLORAL FRIDAY, WELCOME! I’m so happy to have you here, and I hope you stay awhile, leave me a thought or a comment, and come back.
I think I am just as excited as all of you to see what they create for our floral get-togethers as you are. One thing I know for sure, those girls never ever disappoint. Each time they wow me {you too?} with their floral creations, and I leave inspired. More than anything, we want to encourage all of you that yes, you can create your own alluring flower arrangements at home.
For this Floral Friday, we agreed to create an arrangement in a pitcher. And since it is still just barely peony season here in the flower shops, the choice of flowers was easy. The peonies I bought were not as fresh or as tight in the bud as I usually like, because of being so very late in the peony season, but …..still….they were peonies, so I couldn’t resist a bundle of light pink flowers.
Peonies are meant to be cut and shown off. If you are fortunate enough to be able to grow big, blowsy peonies on bushes where you live {and yes, I’m jealous!!} cut them, and bring big bunches inside to make you and your home happy. Because aren’t these frilly ladies just to die for gorgeous?
Since my guest room mantel was bare, I knew exactly where i wanted to put my flowers. I lightened up the look of this mantel for summer by using only white or cream antiques on it. The old Staffordshire dogs in white are my favorites, they were modeled after Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, named for King Charles II of England.
He loved these dogs, and gave them free run at court. His opponents accused the King of “Playing with his dogs all the while, and not minding his business.” {Sounds perfect to me!}
The pitcher I put the pink peonies and white hydrangeas in is an old one, a Victorian Parian ware pitcher, and I surrounded it with two companions, antique parian vases, all in white.
Since Peony season is short, I’d love to share some tips on how to care for them, so you can maximize your enjoyment of these gorgeous flowers. As you can see in the photos, one of the flowers completely shattered during this photo session. But even when they are in a pile, they look glorious, don’t they?
If you have a chance to have cut peonies in a vase or pitcher at home, please take advantage of their beauty. The peonies look beautiful all by themselves, one in a short vase is so lovely!
HERE ARE MY TOP TIPS FOR THE CARE AND HANDLING OF PEONIES.
1. IN THE BUD. If you live somewhere, like I do, where we can’t grow our own peonies but have to buy them, select a bouquet of peonies that are still in tight buds. They should look like a colored ball on a stem. If you are fortunate to be able to grow your own, cut them early in the morning, before the sun is out, also in the ball stage.
2. REMOVE FOLIAGE & CUT. Have a vase with 6 ” or more room temperature water ready. Take the peonies one by one, remove all the leaves that will be under water from each stem. Then cut each peony stem at an angle with a sharp knife or secatur, and quickly place it in the vase of water.
3. CHECK WATER LEVEL. Once you have arranged your peonies into a beautiful arrangement, make sure to check the water on the daily. Peonies are very thirsty flowers, make sure they are immersed at least 3/4 of the way. Clean and refill your vase and re-cut the stems at least every 2-3 days to maximize their life.
4. COOL DISPLAY. Make sure you keep the peonies in a cool place away from direct sunlight and heat, because when they get warm, they open up all the way, fast!
Source List:
PARIAN PITCHER, PARIAN VASES,
FRENCH PRINTS, ANTIQUE STAFFORDSHIRE DOGS
AND PLEASE VISIT MY FRIENDS FOR THEIR FLORAL PERFECTION POSTS!
SHIRLEY at Housepitality Designs
MARY at Home Is Where The Boat Is
Thank you so much for your visit! Let’s keep in touch, if you sign up for my blog, you will automatically receive “me” in your email in box! I hope you are having a glorious July, friends!
à bientôt
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com
SWOON Lidy…those peonies and your collection of vases and pitcher are gorgeous! I love them paired with your handsome Staffordshire dogs flanking them on your mantel. I said goodbye to our peonies around mid May…what a treat to find some to bring home! I keep waiting for some botanist or nursery to create a hybrid peony that has a longer blooming season. Thank you for the beautiful start to my morning. It’s always a pleasure to join you for Floral Friday. ?
Blowsy – the perfect word to describe the beautiful peonies!
OK…the peonies are amazing…but let’s move on to those exquisite pitchers!!….Breathtaking, breathtaking….the vignette is beyond perfection as always…When I first saw the pitchers, my heart truly skipped a beat….thank you as always for your great tips….Peonies may not grow well there but in general California has the most gorgeous flowers and they are always so happy!…Your garden is happy….and speaking of happy, this post truly made me happy and I am so happy that I get to be with such wonderful and talented ladies as you for Floral Fridays…Have a most fabulous Friday and weekend Lidy!!!!
Lidy, the peonies are such a gorgeous flower that only lasts for a short time, but that makes them even more alluring. The pitcher and vases are exquisite and yes I also swooned over the first glimpse. The Staffordshire dogs complete this perfect vignette. It is always a joy to spend Floral Friday’s with you and wishing you a most lovely weekend! ??
Thank you Pam! I can only imagine how gorgeous your gardens are at this time, you have such a large property! I love spending Floral Fridays with you, too.
Yes, peonies are ‘just to die for gorgeous!’ My daughter had them in her wedding arrangements at the front of the church. I saved the petals probably 10 or so years and they still were fragrant.
Your arrangements in your beautiful antique vases are exquisite! Styled on your mantel with your ever so tasteful painting and the Staffordshire dogs should be a future Victoria magazine feature.
Bonnie, I love the idea of them as wedding flowers, surely the bride who marries in May and has peonies is so blessed! Our youngest is getting married this month, and would have loved them too, but of course they are past their blooming season. I hope you are having a happy July!
Yes, they are absolutely gorgeous flowers! I wish I could grow them, and they’re rarely available. But at least I can see them on your posts and Instagram. Eye candy. Thanks, Lidy!
Ginger, I know, they are so beautiful and so rarely available, but while they are here, I drink in their beauty!
Lidy, your arrangement is fabulous. If you have seen any of my garden posts, you know I am crazy for peonies, actually, I collect them. I have around 60 plants tucked in my small garden. While your peonies are so gorgeous, the pitcher they are in is exquisite!
Thank you for a beautiful post.
Sandra, you are so so fortunate to live in the part of the country where you can grow peonies! 60 plants, oh! How magical it must be in May and early June. Thank you for leaving a comment, I’ll definitely visit you and look for your gorgeous peony posts!
This year we had two hail storms on two consecutive days that wiped out every one of the peony bushes. In fact every flowering thing was demolished. The peony’s are my dearly departed mother in laws’ that are probably 75 to 100 years old. I felt like crying but others had it worse than we did. In fact a new roof is probably going to happen for us and our neighbors.
Cavalier King Charles dogs are my soft spot. We have had two, the first was Sir Nicholas John Charles and the second we shortened his name to Pepe. They are absolutely the most loving dogs in the world. I would never have any other dog. They are very aware of your mood and it’s their job to make sure you are happy. I named the first one after Charles Faudrees’ dog, Nicholas. He loved his Cavys. Miss him and his Cavaliers.
Alice, I’m so sorry! I know the peonies hopefully will come back next year, so there is that hope. I love your memory of your dogs, they are so sweet, you are right! And I love that you named one of your darlings Nicholas after Charles Faudree’s dog, I miss him too, what style he had. Happy weekend, friend!
Love , love , love your vignette
Tried sending apicture of mine that I got at the farmers market a week ago Saturday
Beautiful at the beach on Whidbey .
Have a great day .
Off to the Saturday market tomorrow.
Thanks so much, Chris, you are always so encouraging! I am slightly envious of your beautiful time on Whidbey, it looks enchanting! Have a wonderful weekend, friend. xo
Lidy, I am among the group that swooned at the first sight of these peonies in those beautiful vases. Perfect background. Agree with Bonnie…needs to be in Victoria…maybe even on the cover. Fabulous!
Thank you so much, Dianne! We are so blessed with the beautiful flowers, aren’t we, a perfect reminder of God’s goodness.
Gorgeous Lidy, really gorgeous! I love the way you put one big fat bloom on the table next to the pitcher…stunning composition! Thanks for the care tips too…
Thanks so much, Jenna! It really is a simple way to make a bouquet go a “little extra” isn’t it, to add one single flower right next to the big vase.
Your peony arrangement is so pretty! I am planting some next spring!
Thank you Penny. How lucky you are to live where they grow! I know you will cherish your peony bushes in your garden.