Oh, to breathe in the fresh scent of peonies in the garden or in a vase. They bring such a sense of history to our lives and for good reason. According to records, the peony may have been discovered as far back as 1000 B.
C. and originated in China. It became a common plant for medicinal purposes in the East along with becoming a popular subject of the art world.
You will find this flower in many works of Chinese and Japanese art and in their imperial gardens. Since that time, peonies have spread throughout the world and are now grown more for their ornamental value over anything else. They are very popular in our region as they produce large exotic blooms that are rarely found in any other flower type.
Peonies require a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day in a well-drained soil for optimum blooming. It is best to remember that they do not like to be planted in wet areas, as they will easily rot in these conditions. They will also take two to four years to produce their first flowers from a small root or division, so be patient.
These unique plants are available in a wide range of colors, sizes and types. The most common type that we will find in our region will be the herbaceous peony. These are the large flowering, double blooms of red, pink, white and two-toned colors.
There are also the fern-leaf and tree peonies that are becoming more and more popular in our area, however they usually are a little more expensive in retail markets. It would be well worth your time if .
