parade of peonies

Posted on June 29th, 2011 by Tonia 7 Comments

The peonies in our yard are opening up! Finally! I was trying to be patient, but I have been running out to check on them every morning for the last month. And today, it finally happened!

They’re all planted in a long row. Looking at them is almost like watching a parade go by. Or maybe I’m just in the mood for parades since the Fourth of July is right around the corner? Either way, it’s a spectacular sight.

There are no words to describe their smell. Smelling them is like a mini-vacation. They transport me to somewhere exotic, mysterious, and ancient. But then I open my eyes and I’m still right here in my yard. It’s amazing to me that we’re able to grow these in our northern climate, and it makes me so happy and thankful!

The light pink and white ones are almost open too, so more photos to come.

7 Comments

  1. Brooke says:

    Wow, those are gorgeous!! I love peonies. And they do smell so wonderful!

  2. Patricia says:

    Love peonies….they were out here a few weeks ago and I kept a mason jar full of them on my table…lovely!

  3. Tonia says:

    @Patricia: This is my first year with any real good blooms, so I am wondering, if I cut them, will they continue to bloom like how a rose bush does? Or do they just put out a few shoots and that’s it for the year?

  4. Tonia says:

    Bob, one-half of the sweet couple who are renting our cottage, took these photos of some of the flowers around our yard: http://www.hiredlens.com/blog/2011/6/29/flowers.html He is a great photographer. Enjoy!

  5. Patricia says:

    TBH Tonia I’m a rubbish gardener! I very selfishly go to my mom and aunt’s houses and snip flowers all summer long without giving it any thought… but I believe that once you cut peonies that is it….because I know now my mom’s peony bushes are empty….but I’ve got a call out to my aunt who is a fabulous gardener and I’ll ask her and then respond to you. They are just so wonderful though- the scent gets stronger as they sit in the jar and are so pretty to look at. They really lift my mood.

  6. Tonia says:

    I think you’re right- they don’t keep putting up shoots after you cut, but every spring they send more shoots up and have more blooms. I only cut a few {they do make such nice cut flowers!!} because I love seeing them outside so much, too.

  7. […] I promised photos of the white peonies once they bloomed, and they finally have. They are planted in a shady spot, so they were slower to come around than the rest. […]

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