It's Peony Time in Greensboro!

It is peony time in Greensboro. There are about 30 species of this herbaceous, perennial plant, but it only takes one in your yard to bring joy to your kitchen table. These late spring, early summer flowers are not hard to grow, once you find a place where they are happy. We talked to an older woman with peonies in her yard that are over 100 years old. They have been blooming faithfully for a century on her family's property. Her grandmother's instructions, to which she diligently adheres,  were to never allow anybody to disturb the roots and, in late fall, to cut the stems back to the ground. Their family "recipe" seems to have been successful and their plants continue to thrive.

This traditional floral symbol of China is found in many colors and many different versions. The Wrenn family in Greensboro offers four varieties to ship out to you from their peony farm, The Peony Patch (more, here). The Wrens have been growing peonies for about twenty years. We can only imagine the aroma walking through their garden. You can also find peonies places like Fresh Market if you want to have them immediately.

We hope you find some time this weekend, to stop and smell the... peonies.

Comments

[Jane Tucker Mitchell]

I know this dates me, but I never see a peony bush that I don't think of Danny Kaye and his version of "The Peony Bush". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za5RdvLsDY4

[Grace]

Oh how I would love one in my garden GDP, plants with perfumed flowers that grow so generously are a delight! I'm wondering how they would do in our hot summers!

[William Kendall]

What a beauty!

[Kate Mura]

Our peonies in this geographical are are merely suggestions at this point, but am anxious for them to grow and bloom.

[Cheryl Bullard]

Janis, thanks for this post! I didn't realize that I was supposed to cut them back to the ground during late Fall (even though we do that with other plants in our yard). I'll add that to my "to do" list and cross my fingers for increased blooming next Spring!