Tuesday, March 14, 2023

PEONIES

The peonies aren’t blooming yet.  These were taken a few summers ago on a visit to a favorite place, Meadowlark Gardens.  
Here we have the Chinese peony and as the name would suggest, it is native to China.

Also known as Common garden peony and Fragrant peony, botanical name Paeonia lactiflora.


It is a perennial herbaceous bushy plant.  The white peony was first introduced to England in the mid-18th century, and today there are several hundred cultivars common in temperate gardens around the world.  The word "peony' is derived from the Latin name "paeonia".


Peony plants can live for more than 100 years.  If you have the proverbial green thumb, you can plant one of these beauties and enjoy it for the rest of your life.


Peonies have been around since 1,000 BC.  They have flourished for 4,000 years.


Ants love peonies in the garden.  They crawl inside the peony petals to get at their nectar.  The ants won't do the plant any harm.   If you have peonies in your garden, a good tip I read was to cut them at night when ants are less active.


When Marco Polo first came across peonies, he called them "roses as big as cabbages."


Peonies come in every color except blue and some varieties can grow to over 10 inches in diameter.






34 comments:

  1. These peonies are beautiful, always love seeing them.

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  2. In fact, Peony buds can't open without the ants chewing off the outer layer. They are both symbiotic. A hundred years!!! Unbelievable!!

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  3. I did not know any of this information about peonies! Point I have only seen them in a vase and I’ve never seen them growing wow 100 years

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    1. I was amazed at their longevity too Sandra :)

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  4. I always think of cemetery landscaping...peonies are always a popular plant by the headstones (now I know why...their longevity).

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    1. I never thought of that before Anni. They would look beautiful in a cemetery :)

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  5. These are all beautiful. I have peonies. Last year I decided to cut some and bring them inside. I thought they were ant free when I brought them in but soon found out they weren't.

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    1. Thanks Ann, and fascinating about the ants :)

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  6. Hello,
    The peonies are beautiful. Take care, have a great day!

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    1. Thank you Eileen, they are a beautiful flower. You take care and have a grat day also :)

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  7. These are lovely blooms in a wintry day here in NH. Thanks, Denise for a bit of cheery color.

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    1. You are very welcome Dorothy and thank you :) I think we are all looking forward to spring.

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  8. I adore peonies, esp. the white one.

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    1. I love them too Angie, there are several varieties at the garden :)

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  9. Love them!! I need to plant some!
    hugs
    Donna

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    1. Thank you Donna, I should too. Sending hugs :)

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  10. So beautiful. Denise if you try the chia seed breakfast you may want to add a little sweetener.

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    1. Thank you Christine, and also for the tip about the chia seed breakfast :) I am looking forward to trying that.

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  11. I love peonies, so in season or out? Lovely!

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  12. Peonies are a favorite here. Mine are on the south side of the house and start early.

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    1. How lovely, I really must plant some :) Thanks Red!

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  13. I am luxuriating in this beauty you have shared. Thank you D

    "The peony or paeony /ˈpiːəniː/ [2][3] is a flowering plant in the genus Paeonia /piːˈoʊniːə/,[4] the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae /'
    Wikipedia

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    1. You are so very welcome Cloudia, and thank you for the extra information :)

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  14. I love paeonies and have tried without success to grow them. Your photos are beautiful.

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    1. Hello Jabblog :) and thank you, much appreciated.

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  15. These are all so lovely to see.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Happy you think so Jan, and all the best to you too :)

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  16. I love peonies. They are just so pretty....and such beautiful colors.

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