Could this be any prettier? I’m going to have one of these in my house at all times. This entire post is about peonies, so rest your eyes a while, and your mind, too, on these gorgeous blooms.
Did you know the peony is the official floral symbol of China? It’s deeply connected to royalty and honor. China’s been taking a more forward role in recent years, so maybe that’s why peonies seem to be everywhere. And I’m glad they are. I think we all respond to their delicate beauty and how they’re feminine, like a rose, only more complex, with their delicate, crimped petals. I almost swoon when I see a bloom.
They are omens of good fortune and a happy marriage. This multi-colored bouquet makes me want to be a young bride again. If you’re celebrating your 12th anniversary, this is the flower to give.
This salmony color is different but the flower is still lush and romantic in this color. Lucky Indiana: the peony is its state flower.
I love these fraternal twin blooms. The flower is symbolic of riches and honor.
The white is stunning. Romantic, indeed.
I don’t look like I’m girly, but I am. I’d probably put more pale pink in this bouquet than the hotter tone.
Talk about girly–peonies and roses define the term. But I read that peonies have a message: That we should always be aware of how our actions reflect on ourselves and others, and that we must always strive to act honorably and respectfully. We should never be afraid to apologize if we make a mistake. And finally, the peony tells us to share our love with others to help improve their lives, too. And that’s a message we can all buy into.
Just putting this post together inspired me to buy more peonies. They’re in season here late April to early June (I’ll be away most of May, sadly, so here’s hoping it’s an extended season!)
And maybe this gives you an idea for Valentine’s Day. Tomorrow. Just sayin’.
Megs says
February 13, 2017 at 6:51 amThese are beautiful! Thank you for sharing ..I’ll have to add some of these beauties to my home. Happy Monday, from the OvertheMoon linkup!
Megs
Megs recently posted…The Blanket (#jammed daily devo, day 44)
Kat says
February 13, 2017 at 8:14 amThey are absolutely beautiful. I didn’t know that peonies are so important in Chinese culture. You’ve chosen really nice pictures to that post:)
Kat recently posted…Haircare Essentials, part 2- HUMECTANTS
Amber Myers says
February 13, 2017 at 8:38 amThese are so gorgeous! I love all the different colors. I need to get some for the house!
Amber Myers recently posted…Should You Blog About Your Kids?
Leanne|crestingthehill.com.au says
February 13, 2017 at 8:43 amI love peonies Carol and these pics are just gorgeous (loved the meaning you put to them too) and I had to pin a few as well!
Leanne|crestingthehill.com.au recently posted…Midlife Monday ~ The Midlife Marriage Fairy Tale
Jennifer says
February 13, 2017 at 8:45 amPeonies are beautiful and so are your pictures. The flower of Indiana? hmmmm
Jennifer recently posted…How To Generate Ideas On Your Own
GiGi Eats says
February 13, 2017 at 8:48 amWhat stunning flowers!
Helen Vella says
February 13, 2017 at 9:07 amThese are so beautiful and your images really show them off well.
Rocio says
February 13, 2017 at 9:21 amThese are one of my favorite flowers. They just give so much life to a room. Thanks for sharing! xx
Frances D says
February 13, 2017 at 9:55 amI am a huge fan of peonies myself – loved your perfect mix of photos and word. Waving at you from a snowy Cape Cod. And Happy Valentine’s Day.
Frances D recently posted…a truly great writing prompt
Carol Cassara says
February 13, 2017 at 10:14 amSame to you, my friend!
Haralee says
February 13, 2017 at 10:08 amPeonies are so pretty, as are your photos. I don’t have any in my garden but many of my neighbors do. One neighbor has their entire yard in peonies and sells them for .25 a stem. I always buy!
Haralee recently posted…Sometimes You Have to Let Your Inner Bitch Out!!
HeleNe cohen bludman says
February 13, 2017 at 10:16 amI adore these flowers. I can’t even decide which color I like the best.
Michelle says
February 13, 2017 at 11:18 amGorgeous! They make me think of my beloved mother in law. I miss her so much. She called them Pineys.
Michelle recently posted…Scaramouche, Scaramouche
Keriann McKenna says
February 14, 2017 at 5:12 pmMy grandmother’s yard was filled with them and she called them pineys too.I used to get squeamish about the ants crawling on the buds, but my grandfather told me they ate the sticky stuff and allowed the flowers to bloom.
Rena McDaniel says
February 13, 2017 at 11:27 amI love peonies they are my favorite flower. I even wear the scent for perfume. It’s not overwhelming (which triggers migraines). Love the pics.
Rena McDaniel recently posted…How Cats Are Great Therapy for People with Alzheimer’s
Cyn says
February 13, 2017 at 11:27 amBeautiful post of beautiful flowers that once upon a time, when I had a garden, grew in abundance bringing joy to many. Thank you! I love that peonies can live for a hundred years.
Happy Valentine’s Day ❤
Jo says
February 13, 2017 at 1:50 pmI’ll be honest, I’m not normally a flowers person but I’m really drawn to these. Especially the dusty pink ones, they’re gorgeous 🙂
Jo recently posted…How To Be A Blogger Without Feeling Overwhelmed!
Alice Gerard says
February 13, 2017 at 1:55 pmThe peonies are beautiful. I can hardly wait for them to grow each year. Thank you for the wonderful photographs of peonies in February. They brightened a very gray day.
sue says
February 13, 2017 at 2:39 pmHow gorgeous Carol! I’m sitting here at 5am and opened your post to be transported into the beautiful world of Peonies. Looking at your images brought warmth to me and a desire to go and buy some. They are just so pretty. Thanks for a beautiful start to the day.
sue recently posted…Over the Moon Link Party #60
Molly Stevens says
February 13, 2017 at 3:31 pmThey make me think of my mother as they were her favorites and she grew white and pink ones. Lovely, Carol.
Molly Stevens recently posted…Do you have what it takes to show empathy to a sick husband?
Laurie Stone says
February 13, 2017 at 4:04 pmLoved this and so needed these pictures in cold, frigid Connecticut. Thank you.
Laurie Stone recently posted…Who Were History’s Most “Nasty Women?”
Mary Lovstad says
February 13, 2017 at 4:33 pmPeonies are gorgeous and the smell is so wonderful — thanks for the spring inspirations!
Author Brandi Kennedy says
February 13, 2017 at 4:54 pmThey really are lovely to look at, aren’t they? I love the bright colors, and so much variation!
Author Brandi Kennedy recently posted…Monday Minute: Starting The Week Off Right
Steven Goodwin @ MyFamilyOnABudget says
February 13, 2017 at 5:15 pmWe have some peonies that grow every year around our back porch, all white. We love them except for that they attract ants! They are an amazing plant though and very detailed and delicate too!
Steven Goodwin @ MyFamilyOnABudget recently posted…How Paying Off the Mortgage In 7.5 Years Changed My Outlook
Barbara says
February 13, 2017 at 6:01 pmOne of my very favorite flowers ever! They don’t stay in bloom long but, they are stunning and so fragrant in bloom. I used to love adding them to bouquets when I did floral arrangements and especially Bridal bouquets! Any bride who wants them needs to make sure they choose the right time of year, May/June, to marry.
Thanks for the eye candy!
b
Barbara recently posted…We All Need A Good Laugh!
Stacey says
February 13, 2017 at 6:23 pmI had tons of peonies in my last garden. They are so fragrant and yes, as you said, girlie. But they are also strong and make a statement in a bouquet or next to roses… they hold their own.
Stacey recently posted…Waiting on military orders
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski says
February 13, 2017 at 6:30 pmBeautiful pictures and I am loving the Chinese back story about peonies. I just attended a Chinese New Year event and now that I look at some of my pictures I see peonies mixed in with oranges as table settings. So beautiful!
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski recently posted…How to Prevent a Heart Attack as a Woman Over 50
Ana De- Jesus says
February 13, 2017 at 6:43 pmI had no idea that peonies are the official symbol of China. I always thought that they were beautiful and majestic x
Ana De- Jesus recently posted…Get Valentines Day Ready With Treatwell
mira pstr says
February 13, 2017 at 7:59 pmI just moved to my new house and I need more vases , spring is coming I will try to put those beautiful flower that you showed in every corner of My house 🙂 thanks for hsaring
mira pstr recently posted…Sesame Hearts
Lois Alter Mark says
February 13, 2017 at 8:32 pmWow, those are gorgeous! I never knew most of this, and just looking at the photos made me happy!
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…the gift(s) of the mazda cx-5 grand touring awd
Roxanne Jones says
February 13, 2017 at 8:34 pmLove peonies. I had white and pink ones in the yard of the first house I bought when i was single, and they bloomed each year around my birthday in June. Ahh….
Kelly Reci says
February 13, 2017 at 8:58 pmthey are so stunning! so lovely! i wish i have one right now lol. the photography is just so fine, very professional!
Elizabeth O. says
February 13, 2017 at 8:59 pmI’ve never known this much about Peonies! I think they’re lovely flowers and they’re definitely something that you’ll love to see everyday. Just look at how pretty each one is, regardless of the color. They are delicate and pure!
Ellen Dolgen says
February 13, 2017 at 9:15 pmI think peonies are gorgeous! They are delicate, though. I learned so much about this flower. I always knew I adored them, but I didn’t know that they were omens of good fortune and marriage.
Ellen Dolgen recently posted…Take Your Vagina to the Gym – Problem Areas
Alex says
February 14, 2017 at 5:41 amAbsolutely beautiful pictures. <3 Peonies
Silly Mummy says
February 14, 2017 at 6:20 amThey’re so pretty! & lovely colours!
Silly Mummy recently posted…Friday Frolics – 10th January 2017
Margaretha says
February 14, 2017 at 8:25 amI am very lucky to have a couple of these in my garden, both pink. Only thing I regret is that the season is so very short. Your post makes me look forward to spring!
Margaretha recently posted…Step out of the Shadows and Secure Your Future
Sandy N Vyjay says
February 14, 2017 at 10:38 amThis was a really culture fact for me. The flowers are beautiful with its unique color.The white peony is absolutely stunning and looks pure and ethereal. The message sometimes nature bring is inspiring.
Anna Palmer says
February 14, 2017 at 11:20 amGorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. In Vermont we had loads of peonies. The plants thrilled me with how much garden dirt they turned into lush leaves. Then I watched the buds and the ants. The bouquets are the best though. They are my favorite. Except possibly ranunculas (spelling?)
Anna Palmer recently posted…Love and Death. Another reason to loathe Valentine’s day
Christina says
February 14, 2017 at 2:17 pmI love peonies! We planted two last year when we redid our front gardens, but they didn’t bloom. Hopefully they will this year!
Christina recently posted…Welcome All Sounds
Czjai Reyes-Ocampo says
February 15, 2017 at 1:02 amI love peonies, too! I saw a lot of them in South Korea and the blooms were gorgeous!
Czjai Reyes-Ocampo recently posted…Teen Mom Jenelle Welcomes Baby Girl!
Alex says
February 16, 2017 at 5:13 amI absolutely love peonies. I wanted to use them for my wedding, but they were too expensive and not in season. We used different colors of roses instead, and it was perfect anyway. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous photos!
Alex recently posted…After the Altar: Saving Money as Newlyweds
Kimberly Hsieh says
February 16, 2017 at 12:03 pmThese peonies are to die for!! I love that it brings out the spring in me 🙂
https://lovekimber.com/
Lisa Rios says
February 16, 2017 at 8:54 pmMy goodness, I am in love with those adorable peonies right away. Some beautiful colors that could easily light up a room in no time with their presence. I would love to add few to my main hall & bedroom!
Menaka Bharathi - Bloggers Pit Stop Crew says
March 29, 2017 at 12:00 amVery beautiful! Loved the colors. Thanks for joining Bloggers Pit Stop
Menaka Bharathi – Bloggers Pit Stop Crew recently posted…Blog Planner – Simple Indian Moms Ultimate Blog Planner – Free and Printable