Peonies: season, colours, care and how long they last
Peonies are among the most wanted flowers: big, fluffy, fragrant and very photogenic. Their season is short, so waiting for them feels a little like a holiday. This short guide explains when peony season is, how long peonies last in a vase, how to care for them and what to choose when they are not yet in.
When is peony season?
The main peony season is late spring and early summer — May and June. That is when the flowers are largest, the colours cleanest and the prices most reasonable. Out of season peonies are rare and expensive, so the catalog then shows only a few peony bouquets or none at all. We do not tie poor flowers out of season, and we never swap peonies for another flower without your consent.
What peonies mean
Peonies stand for love, prosperity and a happy family, which is why they are so common in wedding bouquets, at engagements and on anniversaries. Pink peonies say tenderness and romance, white ones purity and respect, and coral peonies energy and joy.
Colours and varieties
- Pale pink — the most popular: a fluffy double flower that opens to the size of your palm
- White and cream — the wedding classic
- Coral — an orange-pink flower that slowly fades to soft peach as it opens
- Deep pink and burgundy — rich, bold colours for a statement bouquet
How long do peonies last?
With good care peonies last about a week in a vase. They often arrive in bud, and that is a good thing: in warm water the buds open within 1–2 days and the flowers stay beautiful for longer. A fully open peony is gorgeous but soon drops its petals, so for a gift a half-open flower is the better choice.
How to care for peonies
- Cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife, 1–2 cm, and put them straight into water
- Fill the vase with clean, room-temperature water and add the flower food
- Remove any leaves below the water line — they feed bacteria
- Change the water every day and re-cut the stems every other day
- Keep the bouquet somewhere cool, away from the sun, radiators and fruit (especially apples and bananas)
If the buds are slow to open, stand the stems in warm water and move the vase to a warmer room for a few hours. To slow the opening down, do the opposite and keep them cool. For tips that work for any bouquet, read our guide "5 mistakes that kill a bouquet too early".
What to choose out of season
Garden roses, ranunculus, hydrangeas and lisianthus give a similar soft, full look. Out of season our florists will tie a bouquet from these flowers that stays close to a peony bouquet in both colour and shape.
Peonies at AMELIE
In season you will find peony bouquets in the peonies category, and we often add peonies to seasonal mixes and baskets too. If you need peonies for a particular date — a wedding, for example — contact us in advance: +995 592 064 064.