Peonies!

                                 I have to say my all time favorite flower has got to be Peony!

Peonies can live over 100 years!

They can be split in the fall to make additional plants

Most give off an amazing perfume!

The only bug that you usually find on them are ants - which don't harm them.

They do need to be staked with rings, hoops, or shown here- stakes and twine.

If you cut the flowers while still in bud, with a little color showing, you can refrigerate them for up to 6 weeks, and then clip them again and put them in a vase to open. Try to store them away from any fruit you might have in the fridge, especially apples.

The red ones that are in this post are 'Coleen Marie' and the perfume is a rose scent that is to die for!

The pinks are called ' Pink Giant' and also have a heavenly scent, maybe not as "rosey".

I'm sorry I don't know the name of the whites with the yellow center, they were dug up at an old house

 ( with permission, of course!) ; )

If anyone out there knows this cultivar, would you let us know? Thanks!

The white with the red streaks in photos 1,2, and 3 is 'Festiva Maxima'.

There are hundreds of cultivars! Most of mine I bought through a catalog I believe is from a company  called Gilbert and sons. 

I was really pleased with this company!

Good prices - great product - Too many choices!

Approaching storm

Wednesday, on my way home from the gym, I turned on the car radio to hear that we had a severe thunder storm approaching with high winds and possible hail.
With my mind racing, on what needed to be done at home, my thoughts turned to the garden.

Oh, all my lovely flowers. "I sure hope it doesn't hail".
Arriving home, I dropped my things in the kitchen and began filling vases.
Isn't this on the list for emergency preparation? 

Peonies and 'Great Heron' Iris

top view

'Colleen Marie' and 'Music Man' Peonies

Top view - one measuring 9" across!

'Pink Giant" Peonies

In the potting shed, all ready to go into the house

Thankfully the storm passed us by, but boy the house smells good!

My Baby girl

"Whites" are so pretty on the table

and so are "pinks"!

And still hundreds left on the plants!

In my opinion ( for what it's worth), Peonies are one of the most delightful plants.
They are long lived once established, produce lovely flowers for the garden and vase, aren't fussy,
and not too much bothers them.
Even after the flowers fade, the foliage stays fresh looking thru fall.
Some cultivars even have foliage that turns a nice wine color.
In late fall, I cut back all stems and clean up the area so no diseases or pests can "winter in".
In spring, buds rise up from the bare soil where the foliage died back the previous fall.
I make sure the base of the shoots is clear from any debris, and give the plant a light feeding of aged chicken manure. Peonies are heavy feeders and appreciate the fertilization.
When the stems reach about a foot tall, I place a peony hoop around them to support them.
Then I stand back and let them go!
It is said that once established, Peonies can live a hundred years. Now that's value for my money.
Most of the Peonies in my garden were either bought bare root or dug up from others gardens.
I don't think I have lost one yet, and I have been known to kill a plant or two.
A few facts to remember about Peonies is not to plant them too deep, it will effect the flowering
(I planted mine 2-3" below soil level) and ants on the unopened buds will not hurt or aid the plant, they are just after the nectar. There are so many wonderful cultivars, I can't get enough!

A 'Festiva Maxima' lovely