If we had a penny for every time someone asked us for Peonies we would have a LOT of pennies! These big blousy blooms have a soft, sweet scent. They grow and bloom as the days go by so are such a lovely thing to watch. I think that is why they are such a hit as they start out life looking so small and insignificant then become a gorgeous beauty!
History of the Peony
Originating in China in 1000BC these beautiful flowers weren’t brought over to Europe till the early 1800s after being discovered by explorers. Before being enjoyed as ornamental flowers they were mainly used in Eastern medicine. Where their root was used to treat headaches and asthma.
So the Peonies we see today are thought of ‘domesticated wild flowers’ which I really like the idea of. Something that occurred naturally and was loved so much that it was favoured by an Emperor in China and bred into the Peonies that we see today!
Flowering only till the end of June be sure not to miss out on Peony season. Perhaps a reason that are are even more cherished is because they aren’t around for long.
