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The Glamorous Peony
Peonies are celebrated for their large, beautiful, and often fragrant flowers, making them a popular choice for gardens and cut flower arrangements.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Paeonia
- Common Name: Peony
- The peony belongs to the genus Paeonia, which is the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae.
Distribution and Habitat
Peonies are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Herbaceous peonies provide color to borders and are excellent for cut flower material in late spring and early summer.
- They are perennials with large, often double flowers in white and pink hues.
Cultivation and Care
- Bare-root peonies are ideally planted in October-November when the soil is still warm.
- Container-grown plants can be planted at any time.
- Planting peonies at the correct depth is essential for ensuring abundant blooms.
- Staking with bamboo canes may be necessary in spring to support the large flowers.
- Peonies thrive in sunny flower gardens, and their foliage remains attractive throughout the summer.
Quirky Facts
- The peony is named after Paean, a student of the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius. Zeus transformed Paean into the peony to protect him from Asclepius's wrath.
- Henry Mitchell, an American writer, described the peony as "the fattest and most scrumptious of all flowers, a rare fusion of fluff and majesty."
- The Luoyang Peony Festival is a popular event in China, attracting artists from around the world from mid-April to mid-May.
Resources and Further Information
- Peony and Sage offers vintage and French-inspired fabrics featuring peony designs.
- Triangle Nursery is a wholesale florist supplier specializing in peony flowers.
- The British Florist Association may offer information and resources related to peonies.