Many of my brides come to me with a stack full of magazine photos with bouquets and centerpieces they love. I would say that at least 75% of those photos showcase, in one way or another, the peony. Peonies (pronounced pee-o-nees) are beautiful, fluffy flowers that truly encompass what a "wedding" flower should be.
But alas, these elusive flowers are difficult to get. They are only truly in season 4-6 weeks in the year. And when those 4-6 weeks will be? No one knows except for mother nature. Peonies are considered to be in season late spring or early summer which technically is mid-April to late May or early June. That's really not a long time. You can get them a few weeks sooner or later, but you would be paying a pretty penny for them.
A lot of time I feel like peonies are another form of torture.
I am often the bearer of bad news. I have to tell these hopeful brides that the chances of getting peonies will be unlikely (though not impossible). The good news, though, is that I can offer up some other deliciously fluffy flowers that nature has graced us with.
Ranuncula (Spring flower available from March to April or May). Comes in a variety of colors including white, pink, hot pink, red, burgundy, orange, and yellow.
Garden Tea Rose (Mostly in season during the summer months including June, July and August). These come in a lot of colors also including white, pink, red, burgundy, peach, yellow and orange.
Dahlia (Summer Flowers available late May to October). These come in a variety of colors, and the later in the season, the more colors there are. Most popular ones are orange, red, pink, yellow, white and burgundy (dark red).
Hydrangea (available in the spring and fall). Colors include pink, green, blue, lavender and white.
Lisianthus (in season during the spring and summer months). Colors include white, pink, and lavender).
So if the in-season of peonies doesn't happen to fall under the 6 weeks you happened to be getting married, hopefully one of these flowers can take its place!
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I always hear conflicting info about the season for peonies. The wholesaler I called in Sacramento informed me that I could get peonies for a June 14 wedding at the same price as a David Austen style garden rose. Is this really true, or am I getting bad info? Should we go with the garden roses to play it safe? I'd rather go with the garden roses if the mid-June peonies are going to look pitiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteIt would depend on where the wholesaler is getting their flowers. Some are shipped in from Oregon and other local places and some get them from out of state. I have seen peonies in mid-June before (like last year) so it should be fine!
Bridgewater Gardens is a peony grower located in Michigan. I can relate to Karens comments about only Mother Nature knowing when the peonies will be in bloom. Generally our peonies bloom around June 1 give or take a few days. This year all of our white peonies were several days late and were not ready until about June 4 or 5In most years we can provide fresh cut peonies for wedding dates as late as the last weekend in June.
ReplyDelete