For my money (at least in my zone) peonies are the Number One perennial for showiness. I love the way they look as a plant, the way they look as individual flowers, the way look as cut flowers, and the way they smell.
Below is my very favourite of all the peonies, the 'Bowl of Beauty'.
I bought a lovely new perennial book on the weekend, Lois Hole's 'Perennial Favourites'. In the book, she tells at what stage to cut the flowers and also how to dry them. She has a lovely photo in the book of dried peonies. I had no idea you could dry them. I'm experimenting with that now. I'll post photos later, if I'm able to accomplish it!
Happy Gardening, everyone.
 |
| Paeonia 'Bowl of Beauty' Peony |
 |
| Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' Peony |
Such beautiful Peonies! The Bowl of Beauty almost looks like it has feathers inside it. I have dried the petals in the past using silica. It can be a delicate job after they dry, but well worth it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your photos of your Garden Buddy. We have two cats, but they stay in the house, or come on the deck with us at times.
Those are beauties! It's fun to see your peonies. Ours have been finished blooming for awhile. I hope the drying works out. I dry several kinds of flowers, but I've never tried peonies.
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful, Diane! Bowl of Beauty is one I would love to have in my garden one day (along with Festiva Mexima). -Jean
ReplyDeleteI love your photos! I also love peonies, but I do not have enough sun for many plants. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful. I love the Sarah Bernhardt.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
They are both show-stoppers! I love them! Peonies are one of my absolute favorite flowers. I don't have quite enough sun for herbaceous peonies, but tree peonies can, I discovered, handle a fair amount of shade! Hooray!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane - Love the peonies! I don't have any of these in my yard. I'm not sure why (laziness? haha). Did I ever tell you that I love your header picture? It's gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures! Peonies are my favorite for cutting and bringing a little beauty and fragrance inside!
ReplyDeleteDiane, Your peonies are beautiful! I love Bowl of Beauty! Everything looks so lush and beautiful. The border of the garden in your header photo is a real stunner and like the late spring bouquet on your sidebar too. I see you are from Ontario. I wonder if you are acquainted with my blogging friend, Judith, of Lavender Cottage. She is from Ontario as well. Her blog is at http://lavendercottagegardening.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHugs, Beth
Hi Diane,thanks for commenting on my pansies!Its pure chance really if they do not go "leggy"though the orange coloured ones have done so,I just try to water and feed regularly and the rest is pot luck!Your peonies are gorgeous,as is your whole garden.You are soooooooo lucky to have a friend who bestows her garden surplus to you!(reading back along your blog)!Enjoy your gardening time!
ReplyDeleteDiane that Paeonia 'Bowl of Beauty' is incredible!
ReplyDeleteBertie
Hi. I'm also a fan of peonies,and they do well here on Long Island. I only wish they lasted longer, and they could hold up in the rain. Nevertheless, they are a wonderful gift each year. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, I just found your blog via googling Bowl of Beauty. I'm from Finland, a snowy country like yours, which I understand the peonies enjoy. I guess I'm already looking forward to summer and seeing if any of mine will bloom! I planted my very first ones last year and Bowl of Beauty is one of them. Lovely peonies you have, and great pictures!
ReplyDelete