Peonies belong not only in the wedding bouquet
04.07.2023 | Dana Rohová
Peony is a beautiful flower with an intoxicating scent that blooms from April to July with large flowers. These have a romantic effect, making them an ideal choice for brides getting married in the summer. But it is not only for them, you can also put a bouquet of peonies on the table at home.
Peonies are noble flowers
Focusing on the name of the flowers, the Latin name of peonies comes from Greek mythology and is imported from the name of the physician of the gods, Paion. The Chinese name shaoyao translates to beautiful or enchantingly beautiful, and that's exactly how we might describe peonies. The gorgeous large flowers catch the eye at first sight, symbolizing happiness, abundance, wealth, compassion, even a happy marriage. Perhaps that's why we know peonies mainly as part of wedding bouquets.
Did you know that peonies used to be a popular part of oriental gardens? They are historically associated with Chinese empresses, symbolizing their power and wealth.
Peony in a vase
Peonies boast large flowers that have a unique charm. Why not decorate your home with them? To enjoy their beauty for as long as possible, you need to know how to care for them. Just one mistake and the flowers will fade. If you don't have them in your garden, you can't influence the moment of harvesting, but that is the key to keeping them happy for a long time.
The ideal time to pick them is early in the morning and cut them with a sharp, clean cut at a 45° angle. Then find a tall vase to fill with cool water, ideally skimmed, and dip the stems at least 10 centimetres into it. Cut the stems again at the same time.
When you get the peonies, carefully unwrap them, cut the stem diagonally by 3 to 5 cm using sharp scissors, remove the excess leaves and place them in water.
Did you know that it is also important to find the right place for the peony vase? They don't like draughts and prefer a bright spot out of direct sunlight.
Peonies in the garden
Why enjoy their beautiful flowers only in a vase? If you have your own garden, you can enjoy them there too. They require light to medium loose soil, ideally in a sheltered sunny spot or in partial shade, and a space of at least 1 square metre. However, as they only flower for a fairly short time, it is ideal to plant other flowers around them, such as ornamental garlic, purple cacti etc. Peonies grown in the garden should be fertilised with organic fertiliser in March or April.
Interesting facts about peonies
Every flower is shrouded in myths and trivia, and peonies are no different.
The National Peony Garden can be found in the Chinese city of Luoyang.
The peony is the flower that should be given on your 12th wedding anniversary.
It fits not only in a wedding bouquet, but also in a bouquet for graduation and other festive occasions.
You can also decorate a wedding cake with it.
Peony is exceptionally used as an expectorant, relaxes intestinal peristalsis and cures stomach cramps. But it is a poisonous plant.
Our tip: Don't have peonies in your garden or in a vase, but would you still like to enjoy their beauty? Go to the Botanical Garden of the Capital City of Prague to enjoy them. You can visit the Botanical Garden of Prague or the Průhonice Botanical Garden, where you can enjoy the view of the great collections of peonies in the Czech Republic.
