Peonies
Peonies are available in the UK for roughly six weeks, depending on the growing weather, sometimes a little longer with eight weeks. Peony flowers are closely assigned to anticipation feels like. A bright outlook for Spring, peonies show people after the harshest of winters, flowers continue to grow.
They arrive in mid-late April and reach their peak in May and June. After this, it’s a whole year of waiting until the following spring. This is what makes them so loved.
This guide answers all your questions, including when UK peonies are in season, what to look for when buying, how to care for them so they last as long as possible, what they mean and an important note if you have pets at home.
When are peonies in season in the UK?
British peonies typically flower from late April through to early July, with the peak of availability falling in May and June.
Peony varieties and colours
Peonies come in a wide range of forms and colours.
The most popular varieties among UK florists are Sarah Bernhardt, which is the classic blush pink and Coral Charm, which opens in deep coral-pink and softens gradually to apricot as they bloom. Watching a Coral Charm Peonies open over three or four days is the pleasure of peony season. Other popular varieties include Reine Hortense, which is creamy white with the occasional blush of pink at the centre and finally Paul M Wild variety of deep velvety red.
What do peonies symbolise?
Peonies carry one of the different meanings across different traditions and cultures.
In Chinese culture, the peony is known as the king of flowers and often associated with prosperity and honour.
In Western tradition, Peonies represents romance and good fortune.
Peonies as a gift: when to send them
Peonies work as a gift for almost any significant positive occasion. They are a statement that is bold, beautiful and highly scented.
Coinciding with their availability in British Spring/Summer makes them a great choice for birthdays in May and June.
They one of the most popular wedding flower in the UK and often the most requested in bridal flowers.
How long do peonies last?
Peonies have a shorter vase life than most flowers. In good conditions, you can expect five to seven days from a well looked after peony. Some may stretch for longer, but should not be expected.
The good news is that peonies arrive in tight bud and take several days to open fully so you get to enjoy them bloom from start to finish.
To get the most from your peonies, follow our care tips below:
How to care for peonies
Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle with a sharp, clean knife or secateurs.
Avoid domestic scissors as they crush the capillaries and reduce water uptake. Trim at least two centimetres from the base.
Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Submerged foliage rots quickly and introduces bacteria that significantly shortens vase life.
Place them in a clean vase with cool, fresh water and the flower food sachet if one was included. Flower food contains the right balance of sugar and antibacterials to give the stems prolonged nutrition.
Keep them away from direct sunlight, radiators, draughts and fresh fruit. The ethylene gas released by ripening fruit accelerates wilting in fresh cut flowers.
Change the water and re-trim the stems every two to three days. This is the single most effective thing you can do to extend vase life beyond five or six days.
Choose a vase that supports the heavy heads. Peonies can become top-heavy as they open fully and a narrow necked vase that props the stems together helps prevent them drooping sideways.
If after a day or two, your peonies are still in a very tight bud and do not seem to be opening, a trick florists use is to place them in slightly warmer water and place them in a warmer part of the home with more natural sunlight. To accelerate the bloom, remove the outer guard petals gently (usually discoloured) as these tend to have some sap (a glue type substance).
Are peonies safe for cats?
No. Peonies are toxic to cats and dogs. Peonies contain paeonol, a compound that can cause GI symptoms if ingested by cats or dogs.
All FlowerFix pet safe bouquets are guaranteed free of peonies and any other stems toxic to cats and dogs.
Related guides:
Guide to Roses
How to make cut flowers last longer
Flowers for all occasions and homes
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