Ruffles upon ruffles, a peony in bloom is a truly beautiful sight. Their huge fluffy petals are a head turner for sure, whether its in the garden, in a perfectly delicious table arrangement, or accompanying a bride down the aisle.
The only downside? These beauties aren’t in season for long, and with a shorter than average vase life they require a little more care than a regular stem.
Silk & Wild have put together some tips on how to get the most out of your cut peonies so your can enjoy their dazzling beauty for longer.
1. Good things come in small packages
So you’ve received your peonies and they look tiny. Don’t fret, your blooms are just in their golf-ball-sized bud stage so that they will last longer for you. Within a day or two they will start to open up and you will see their fluffy petals emerge. Try to resist the temptation to prize them open as it could bruise the petals, which would tarnish their beautiful display down the line. You may find that your peony buds have a sap-like residue – its completely normal. Simply wipe them gently with a damp cloth and this will ensure that they can open up easier.
2. Fresh trim time
As with all flowers, your peonies need to be kept in fresh water. Remove any packaging, get a vase filled with fresh water and mix in the flower food. Remove any leaves that will fall below the waterline. For the first cut trim around 4cm off the stem, cutting on a diagonal angle. This way they can drink as much water as possible. As these flowers have a short life it’s best to give the stems a small trim and change the water every 1-2 days to keep them fresh.
3. Keep ‘em cold
You’ll want to position your peonies out of direct sunlight in a cooler spot in the house to make them last as long as possible. Peonies are very sensitive to heat so keep them away from any heat source. Unless of course if you want your peonies to open up faster – you can place them in warm water and move them into a warmer room in your home, you will see them bloom overnight.
4. Enjoy the show
Your peonies will transform each day, from the small round bud into show stopping blooms. They are sure to put a smile on your face. My favourite peonies are the glorious soft pink of the Sarah Bernhardt and the rich berry toned ‘Victoire de la Marne’ – simply stunning.