Each flower has a “time” when they are ready to bloom.  They reach their flowering time and recede as new ones take their place. Peonies come in early summer.

 

Peonies are a favorite bloom from my childhood.  My neighbor lady had two or three plants that of differing colors.  The large flowers and their delicate scent still delight me.

 

 

 

 

I bought several to plant on the farm a few years ago.  I thought I would be able to enjoy the differing colors.  I would like to let you drink in their beauty, too.  I hope you like them.

 

 

 

 

The blooms last longest on the plant. However, I do pick some to place a bouquet on my kitchen table. To make their beauty longer lasting, I dry the flowers.  They dry to make lovely bouquets for the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To dry them, I bind a few stems together with a rubber band.  The rubber band will hook nicely from a door knob or other hanging place.  With the flowers hanging upside down the peonies dry to ensure that their blooms will stand erect in a vase.  After the drying I have a special bouquet that lasts for weeks or months.  Give it a try sometime. Other flowers and herbs dry well this way, too.

peony photo credits:Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Don Hankins via photopin cc