Peony

PEONY: CHARACTERISTICS AND FLOWERS

Peony belongs to the Paeoniaceae family and is not related to the rose, as is sometimes thought. Peonies can be recognised by their large, lush and often fragrant flowers, which bloom from relatively small buds. The stems of peonies contain leaves, but no thorns. 

Peonies bloom once a year in spring (between late April and early July). The peak of this spring flower is in May and June. In those months, the peony is widely available as a cut flower. The varieties that flower early in the season (late April/May) often have single leaves and a stronger fragrance and colour. The varieties that flower later (late May/June) more often have double leaves and a weaker scent. Peonies are hardy and able to withstand British winters, but are deciduous as opposed to evergreen.

PEONY: VARIETIES, SHAPES AND COLOURS

Those who fall for the charms of peonies are in luck as there are about 1,000 varieties available in all kinds of shapes and colours. They come with a single row of petals, semi-double or double flowers. You can also indulge in colour, with varieties available in soft yellow, romantic white, candy pink or dark red. Some varieties are even bicoloured or change colour. The scent of peonies is particularly attractive and deliciously sweet.

Roughly speaking, there are two types of peonies: herbaceous and bushy peonies (tree peonies). Both varieties are hardy, and each variety has its unique characteristics and charm:

• Herbaceous peony: herbaceous peonies, also called perennial peonies, are the most common. This perennial plant loses leaves and stems in autumn.
• Shrubby peony: shrubby peonies, also called tree peonies, are woody shrubs. This species retains their woody stem during winter and can grow into a substantial shrub. 

HOW TO CARE FOR A BOUQUET OF PEONIES

Peonies are perhaps the most beautiful, exuberant and large-flowered beauties you can put into your vase. Have you brought a bouquet of peonies into your home? Then you'll want to enjoy them for as long as possible. The care tips below will help you keep your peonies looking fresh:

• Cut the flower stems diagonally with a sharp knife.
• Place peonies in a clean vase with water. Choose cold or lukewarm water, depending on how open the flowers already are.
  • If the peonies are still closed, give them lukewarm water.
  • If the peonies are already slightly open, it's better to put them in cold water. 
• Remove any leaves that drop into the water, to prevent bacterial growth.
• Add cut flower food to extend the shelf life of your peonies.
• Change the vase water regularly.
• Put the vase in the right spot (not in direct sunlight, in a draught and or next to a fruit bowl).
• Note that peony flower buds are small, but when peonies fully bloom, they can become very large (some varieties have a diameter of 15-20 centimetres!). Make sure you don't put too many peonies together in a vase to give them room to bloom. 
• Is your peony having trouble opening its flowers? Peony buds contain a sticky layer which sometimes makes them stick together. Help your peony by holding the dense bud upside down under a gentle spray of lukewarm water. The flower should bloom within a few days.

GARDEN PEONIES ARE GOOD FOR BIODIVERSITY

If you want a dazzling show of flowers in spring, we recommend that you plant peonies in your garden. They're very hardy plants which, with the right care, can flower for up to 50 years! They do well in borders and combine perfectly with plants such as lady's mantle, foxglove or catnip. Bees, butterflies and other insects also love this bloom, so it's is a perfect choice to increase biodiversity in your garden.

PEONY PLANTING, LOCATION AND CARE TIP

Check out our tips below for the right positioning, planting and care of peonies. You plant herbaceous peonies and bushy peonies in the same way. 

• Preferably, you should plant peonies in October so the soil is still warm from the summer and the plant can take root easily. See tips and step-by-step plans for planting garden plants here. It's important to choose the right spot and stick with it, as peonies don't like being transplanted and it can affect their growth and flowering. The longer the plant is in the same spot, the richer the flowers.
• Don't plant peonies too deep in the ground, as the peony won't flower. The growth point of herbaceous peonies only needs to be 1-2 centimetres below ground level. Shrub peonies can be planted a little deeper and can also be planted in spring. 
• Be patient! It may take a few years before your peony will flower. The plant will produce more beautiful flowers year-on-year.
• Don't plant peonies anywhere they have been planted previously. If you do, make sure you completely replace the soil and add new, nutrient-rich soil. Peonies secrete certain substances which prevent another plant from developing and/or cause diseases.  
• Peonies like a sunny location. Give them a spot with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, as this is when they flower the best.
• Peonies thrive in clay and peaty soil. Peonies also thrive in sandy soil, provided you provide them with a good layer of organic fertiliser. 
• Peonies like slightly acidic soil, with a pH between 6.5-7.5 (you can measure this with a pH meter). Is your soil too acidic? Add lime. 
• Peonies can be placed in a sheltered position, but not too shady as they need sufficient air circulation to flower well and avoid diseases such as fungus.
• Keep in mind that a peony needs enough space to grow. A planting distance of 70cm to 1m is recommended. 
• Keep the soil slightly moist, but make sure it doesn't get soggy.
• The large flowers can become so heavy that they bend over. You can support peonies with sticks or other material if necessary. 

PRUNING PEONIES

For vigorous growth and flowering and fungus control, it's important to prune your peony. Note that the extent and how you prune them depends on the variety. Herbaceous peonies require more pruning than bushy peonies.

• Pruning herbaceous peonies: herbaceous peonies (also called perennial peonies) may be roughly pruned every year. Cut herbaceous peonies back thoroughly in autumn (September/October), to about 5 centimetres above the ground. 
• Pruning tree peonies: bushy peonies don't necessarily need pruning. If the bush has finished flowering in early summer, remove the wilted flowers. In spring, you can prune away ugly or dead branches to just above a healthy bud (pruning is thus limited to shortening disturbing shoots). If necessary, you can prune the shrub into the desired shape in autumn and/or remove the oldest branches if the plant gets too big or too tall. Don't be tempted to pluck away leaves but let them fall off naturally. 

PEONIES AND ANTS

Ants love the sap of peonies, which comes out of the buds. Ants don't harm peonies, so there is no need to fight them. If the ants are numerous and are bothering you, however, there are several things to try. The most common ways are boiling water or an ant bait box, but these ways are less animal-friendly. You can lay down a line of coffee grounds (even cats don't like coffee grounds!), put down copper coins, or chalk a line with pavement chalk (if you have tiles or a patio nearby). You can also put certain plants near peonies which ants don't like, such as lavender and sage. 

PEONY ORIGINS

Peonies originate from China. It was cultivated not only for its beautiful flowers but for its roots. According to the Chinese, the roots are said to have a fever-reducing and haemostatic effect*. The botanical name Paeonia dates back to classical antiquity. Paieon was the god of healing in Ancient Greece and the flower was named after them. The flowers likely arrived in Europe during the Middle Ages thanks to trade routes and botanical expeditions. Although the exact timeline of the peony's introduction to Europe is not known, it is clear that the flower has long been loved in European gardens.

*The medicinal effect has never been scientifically proven, so we don't recommend you test its medicinal effects.

PEONY SYMBOLISM

Peony is not only beautiful flower but is full of rich symbolism. In Chinese culture, the peony has been seen as a symbol of happiness, prosperity, love, fertility and a prosperous life for centuries. In the West, the peony is known for this symbolism, hence its common inclusion in weddings and anniversaries.

ARE PEONIES TOXIC TO PETS OR HUMANS?

Peony is not an edible plant and is toxic to humans and animals, including cats and dogs. Ingestion can lead to various symptoms such as nausea, upset stomach and vomiting. If ingested, contact your doctor or vet.