Peonies

It is hard to believe that this bold, full-headed bloom obtained the meaning of “bashfulness” in the Victorian era. Nothing about this playful flower is shy! Round, bold, and fragrant peonies grab your eye. They are available in fuchsia, baby pink, and white—a bevy of wonderful options for the sweet and sophisticated. The lush blooms produce a strong, alluring scent, and are just as beautiful in a bouquet as they are in a centerpiece. Spring and summer celebrations rejoice, for these are the bloom’s peak seasons. Try using them in loosely packed, hand-carried flowers for that “just picked from the garden” look, or cut the stems short and place tightly packed in pewter mint julep cups for an instantly chic way to dress up cocktail tables. This flower can be glam as well as casual!

The peony comes in two main types, herbaceous and the tree peony. It is best to stick with the herbaceous type, as they last longer, especially important for outdoor venues in the summer.

A rich past with China makes this flower particularly meaningful for those who want to incorporate an Eastern style. Peonies have long inspired artists. The flower is one of the main motifs of Chinese decorative arts and can be found in such mediums as screen paintings, clothing, and tapestries. Peonies are a beautiful image to place throughout your stationery suite as well. Look for letterpress invites to best capture the magnificent, full lines of this flower.

Luxuriant, lively and utterly romantic.

More on peonies…
For inspiration you might want to look at peonies in Chinese art.  Or if you have some space and some time, you might plant your own garden of peonies.  To get an idea of how they might decorate your table, take a look at mint julep cups….what could be lovelier?