Peony Season is Here: How to Make the Most of Everyone’s Favourite Bloom

Peony season has officially arrived — and flower lovers everywhere are swooning. With their ruffled petals, sweet fragrance, and dreamy colour palette, peonies are the showstoppers of the late spring and early summer garden. Whether you’re filling your home with blooms or choosing the perfect stems for a celebration, here’s how to make the most of peony season.

Styling Ideas: Let Peonies Shine

Peonies don’t need much to make a statement, but a little thoughtful styling can really bring out their charm:

1. Keep it classic
Group 5 to 7 peony stems in a short, wide vase for a full, romantic arrangement. Stick to one colour for a minimalist look, or mix soft pinks, whites and coral shades for a blousy, cottage garden feel.

2. Add a touch of wild
Peonies pair beautifully with other seasonal blooms like garden roses, lilac and astilbe. For a more relaxed, natural look, add in textural greenery such as eucalyptus or trailing ivy.

3. Think small
A single peony in a bud vase is a lovely addition to a bedside table or guest bathroom. Line up a few along a dining table for an effortless tablescape.

Caring for Cut Peonies

Peonies can be surprisingly long-lasting with the right care. Here’s how to get the best out of them at home:

• Choose the right stage: Peonies last longer when bought or cut while still in bud. Look for blooms that feel soft like a marshmallow and haven’t yet opened fully.
  
• Start with a clean vase: Wash your vase thoroughly and fill with fresh water and a little bleach. Crazy but true.  Change the water every couple of days.
  
• Trim the stems: Cut each stem at an angle before placing in water. Re-trim every few days to help the flowers stay hydrated.
  
• Avoid direct sunlight: Keep your arrangement in a cool spot away from radiators, sunny windows or fruit bowls (which release gases that can speed up ageing).
  

Help them along: If buds seem slow to open, place them in slightly warm water and gently loosen the outer petals.

Fun Facts: Why We’re All Obsessed with Peonies

• They’re Ancient Beauties: Peonies have been cultivated for over 2,000 years. In China, they’re known as the “king of flowers” and symbolise prosperity and honour.
  
• They’re Perennials That Get Better with Age: Garden peony plants can live for over 50 years and produce more blooms each season as they mature.
  
• That Scent! Peony fragrances vary from rose-like to citrusy or spicy, depending on the variety. Sarah Bernhardt and Duchesse de Nemours are particularly prized for their scent.
  

Not Just Pretty Faces: In ancient medicine, peonies were used for everything from headaches to sleep problems. While we don’t recommend nibbling your bouquet, it adds to their storied history!

Find Fresh Peonies at Lily & Myrtle

At Lily & Myrtle, we absolutely love peony season and always look forward to filling the shop with the freshest blooms. Whether you’re after a hand-tied bouquet, something seasonal for your home, or planning flowers for a celebration, pop in or get in touch to see what’s just arrived.

Peony season is short and sweet, typically running from late April to early July, so now’s the time to enjoy every last petal.to help you celebrate the beauty of spring with unique, stylish arrangements that bring the season’s most colourful blossoms into your home.