Peony Time: How to ExtendIt for Loved Ones

It's hard to imagine a woman who wouldn't adore these flowers — lush, airy, with a wonderful rich fragrance. And men are not indifferent to them either. After all, curly buds evoke the warmest associations: with the last school bells, grandma's front garden, first love.

People noticed the luxury and amazing properties of peonies long ago. In China, clothing with images of these distinctive buds was worn only by emperors. And the Renaissance physician Paracelsus treated melancholy, migraines, fatigue, and asthma with their petals.

One thing is bad: the blooming period of these magnificent plants is limited, so you can't give them all year round. But at "Pro-buket" they know how to extend this season and bring joy longer to those for whom peonies are their favorite flowers.

Double Festiva Maxima

Peony season in Kazakhstan

Let's be honest: flowers that can be bought in January, February, March don't evoke such lasting associations and special, warm emotions. Part of why we love them so much is because they bloom for only a short time.

Luxurious Sarah Bernhardt

But not too short either. Unlike delicate lilies of the valley or fragrant jasmine, you can enjoy their beauty from mid-May, all of June, and even in early July. The thing is, many varieties have been bred with different blooming periods:

• Early varieties. These include Ophelia with red-purple buds, cream-colored Moonlight Road, and the unusual Athena. They bloom in the last ten days of May — the first ten days of June.
• Peony varieties with a mid-season blooming period (until the 20th of June): Coral Fay, Red Grace, Coral Sunset, Iceberg, double Festiva Maxima.
• Mid-late peonies bloom until the end of June: soft pink Sarah Bernhardt, Dr. G, Neon in a fuchsia shade, lush and bright Kansas, elegant Karl Klemm.
• Late varieties are mostly white: Ann Cousins, Gladys Hodson, Elsa Sass. They bloom by early July.

Bright Coral Sunset

Bottom line: if you plant bushes of different varieties from all four groups, you can enjoy luxurious bouquets for about a month and a half.

When peonies are sold

But the sales period for peonies in flower shops is much longer, and it's tied to the season of these regal flowers in the Netherlands. You can buy peonies at "Pro-buket" from March to September. And all thanks to Dutch breeders and flower growers, who have developed very early and very late varieties and create all the necessary conditions for growing them.

Unusual Athena

How Dutch peonies differ

Flowers from the Netherlands:

1. Are more "hardy." Varieties bred for export to other countries tolerate long transportation well and last a long time in a vase after purchase.
2. Are more "closed." This refers to the shape of the bud. Our varieties have a slightly "messy" look. Dutch ones have a distinct spherical shape.
3. Shed less. Buds from the dacha open quickly and then begin to lose petals. After a couple of days, there's a whole pile of them near the vase. Dutch flowers dry out without falling apart.

Peony bouquets

Of course, imported flowers are also more expensive. But they look great in bouquets and combine well with other flowers. In a company of roses, carnations, and hydrangeas, peonies both look harmonious and stay fresh for a long time. Lush mono-bouquets are wonderful too. Trendy arrangements in hat boxes or baskets can even become a standalone gift for any occasion.

Peonies in a bouquet

When buying peonies, also pay attention to the shade of the petals:

• Red flowers can be presented to a woman as a sign of gratitude (for example, to a teacher), as recognition of her merits and a wish for success.
• White peonies — a symbol of maiden purity and innocence. They are often used to make wedding bouquets.
• Pink ones — the best way to confess tender romantic feelings.

Give peonies until the very autumn. Give joy with "Pro-buket"!