Peonies are wonderful landscape perennials. They are admired for their elegant spring flowers and their longevity in the landscape. They are native to Asia, Europe and Western North America.
There are three distinct groups of peonies: the herbaceous Eurasian peonies, the Asian tree or moutan peonies and the North American peonies. The herbaceous peonies are perennials that grow to a height of almost 1 metre (about 3 feet). They have large, glossy, much-divided leaves borne on annual stems produced by fleshy rootstocks. In late spring and early summer they produce large single and double flowers of white, pink, rose, and deep crimson colour.
Here Are Some Fascinating Facts About Peonies:
-Peony petals are edible, which can be added to salads or used as garnish for drinks.
-There are more than 6,500 varieties of peonies, with new ones being introduced all the time. They all fit into three main categories: tree, herbaceous, and itoh (which is a cross between the other two).
-Apart from their fragrance and wide availability as cut flowers, peonies are also a common flower choice with brides because of their symbolism. Peonies represent romance and love, and are considered a good omen for a happy marriage. In China and Japan, peonies stand for strong and positive virtues such as bravery, honor, respect, nobility, good fortune, and prosperity.
-Most peony varieties are happiest in full sun, but some tree paeonies do best in part shade.
-Their name is rooted in Greek mythology. The peony is named after Paeon (also spelled Paean), who was a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. One version of the story goes that Paeon, known as the healer of the gods, used a paeony to treat a wound for Zeus. When Asclepius became murderously jealous of his pupil, Zeus saved Paeon by turning him into a peony flower.
-Peonies have medicinal properties. Studies have shown that peony plants have immune system and mood-boosting properties, and can be used to effectively treat inflammation, blood clots, and general pain. In fact, paeonies have been used in European herbal medicine as a remedy for bladder and kidney problems. The roots and seeds of peonies have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat headaches, convulsions, asthma, liver disease and several more ailments. However, peonies can cause gastrointestinal upset for both people and animals if consumed in large amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions:
In New Zealand, peonies are in season from mid September until December during our Spring. In mid to late September the lovely warm Coral Peonies start to Bloom. As the season progresses the colours available change due to the different flowering times of the many peony varieties and colours.
We sell Coral Sunset, Coral Charm, Coral Supreme, Bridal Gown, Red Charm, Chippewa, Inspector Lavergne, Festiva, Dutchesse de Nemours, TDR (aka Karl Rosenfield), Pink Hawaiian, Mon Jules Elie, Sarah Bernhardt and Dinner Plate. You can also buy assorted flowers of your choice (depending on what's available).
For retail buyers, you can purchase a minimum of 5 stems, which is the number of stems per order. For wholesale buyers, you can purchase a minimum of 30 stems and will need to contact us directly for your requirements and order arrangement. Please check the Wholesale page.
We send to business addresses nationwide, but special arrangements will need to be made for private or residential addresses.
You will receive your order in 3-5 business days in a box with a chiller pad included.
Yes, we mainly sell our flowers online. Please check the 'Flowers Available Page' for the available varieties. If you are a florist or want to buy mixed varieties in bulk, just send us a message, email us or give us a call to place your order.
We only accept bank transfer or online payment via Stripe.
Buy peonies fresh cut from a grower or at your local flower mart when they are still about the size of a golf ball. Green petals will still be visible on the peony bulbs. There are some varieties to choose from, which come in every hue, including pink, peach, yellow, red, and white.
Once you have the peonies, prepare them as soon as possible. Cut the stems about ½ inch on a diagonal and remove all leaves from the stem that will touch the water. If the peonies look a bit closed, you can massage the tops of the flowers using your thumb as it will encourage them to open, but be careful not to break the bud off of the stem. Push back the outer green covering and outer petals to help the peony start to open.
Be mindful that peonies have heavy flower heads. They have sturdy stems, so you can make a grid with the stems that will support more peonies in one vase without all of them falling out. When arranging, be careful not to pull the bottom petals off, since they provide much of the support for the heavy flower head. Avoid anything sharp, like thistle, because it might damage the peony petals.
Unfortunately, not all peonies are fragrant. The pink and white varieties are usually more fragrant than the red ones.
Here are a few tips on how to make them last longer: 1. In a vase with water, add a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of white vinegar. Stir well to help dissolve the sugar.
2. Trim the stalks to your desired length and cut on an angle to allow for maximum water absorption. (Note: leave a bit extra on for future trimming).
3. Cut the stems at an angle, under water, every other day. This allows for the flower to absorb more water.
4. Replace the water every two days; you will notice that the water will get a bit brown even after 1 day.
5. Use cold water when refilling the vase. If you need your blooms to open up quickly, warm water will open them up in no time.
6. Place the flower arrangement in a cool place—the hotter the climate, the faster your flowers will wilt. You can place them on a front porch, or somewhere covered that still has natural light.
Yes, we do. You can purchase a minimum of 50 stems. Please check the 'Wholesale' page for more information.
Yes, we do. Please check the 'Tubers' page. You can either buy online or visit our location.
We also sell Saffron Spice and other peony based products such as Peony Hydrosol, Peony Cleansing Clay Mask, Peony Whipped Body Butter, Peony Body Soap, etc. You can check our other products here: https://peonies.nz/other-products/
Yes. You can check our products and the prices on our Upstock page (https://www.upstock.app/wholesalers/jo-smith-peonies) and place your order from there.