Pretty Paonies

“In my mind, no other flower can compete with the perfection and the fragrance of the paeony.”
Chantal Larocque

Most of us think pink when it comes to paeonies, however these pretty blooms come in a range of colours, including deep burgundy, sunshine yellow, vibrant orange and all the shades in between.

A popular choice for wedding flowers at this time of year, in the language of flowers paeonies are generally symbolic of love, honour, happiness wealth, romance, and beauty, traditionally
given on special occasions as an expression of goodwill, best wishes, and joy.

As well as being prized for their gorgeous large, layered flowers and sweet fragrance, these plants have amazing longevity, able to live for more than 100 years. They make excellent cut flowers and can last more than a week in a vase.

DID YOU KNOW?

The peony or paeony is a flowering plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. Peonies are native to Asia, Europe and Western North America. Scientists differ on the number of species that can be distinguished, ranging from 25 to 40.

Paeony Show

Christchurch Paeony has its second annual show on Saturday 12 November at the Kiosk in the Gardens, just over the footbridge from the Gardens’ Armagh St Carpark, from 10am to 4pm.

Paeony bloom entries are welcome, with all blooms eligible, says Christchurch Paeony chairperson Michele Moore.

“Anyone who wants to enter should bring their blooms on Friday 11 November to the Kiosk between 4pm and 6.30pm.

“Cut as long a stem as possible,” she says, adding that blooms in the soft bud stage may be cut several weeks in advance, and stored stripped of most leaves, wrapped in newspaper and placed in a plastic bag in the fridge, without water. “They will hydrate very well.”