Stopping by Trader Joe's the other day we spotted the season's first Peonies. We grabbed up a bunch (at $6.99 it was a great price) and waited for them to open. Now a couple of days later just 2 of the 5 stems have exploded open and we can't wait to watch their transformation:
Look! First Peonies Of The Season
Peonies, our very favorite flowers, have a life of their own, a lot like tulips do (or second favorite flower). Peonies go from tight balls to wide open fluttery poofs and their color fades as they bloom as well so the bouquet you start with is completely different from the one you end up with. Plus, for us, peonies mean the beginning of summer, remind us of trips to the East Coast and make the table look like a still life with their painterly blooms.
So here's to Peonies:
Inspiration: Peonies
Peonies at Trader Joes
PlantTherapy: Saturday Morning Flowers
PlantTherapy: Saturday Morning Peonies
Don't forget the flowers
To Cut or Not Cut Flowers
How To Arrange Fresh Summer Flowers in a Low Vase
Comments (16)
Daily Email
Top Tours
- Moses and Jamie's Whimsical Modern
- Bryan's Fashionable Statement
- Eric and Christine's Spacious Pad
- Alysia's Treehouse by the Lake
- A Mid-Century Modern Musicians' Loft
Top Posts
Today in Marketplace
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
My favorite flower!
view Kwil's profile
Gorgeous! I love peonies. My mom planted them along her house when we lived in Iowa.
Come to think of it, that might have been the only thing I liked about Iowa...
;)
view clampers's profile
Oh, jealousy. I've talked myself out of buying a bunch- I can't find them for less than $16 in Seattle!
view shockthebourgeois's profile
Very few things make me happier than peonies. I used them in my wedding bouquet, because my grandmother had done the same in the 1920s and I loved how decadent they looked in the pictures. They should be the official flower of June! (They seem early this year.)
view sally305's profile
I love Peonies...
...that color is great.
view bepsf's profile
Bliss! Peonies are truly divine. They don't seem as popular here in Australia as they could be. Perhaps I'll do something to rectify that situation. Enjoy!
view alicebot's profile
Love them! Ranunculus too!
view sfteri's profile
I bought some for a friend who lost her father but wow I paid a lot I think they were 5.50 a stem for a dozen. I wish we could grow them in California.
view LoriSF's profile
i have a peony bush in my garden and i'm looking forward to finding out what colour it is (i only moved here last September). if only the blooms wouldn't get so ant-infested and i could bring them inside...
view rouquinne's profile
Oh, I saw them at all the flower stands on my way to work today! Love, love, love. I desperately want them for my wedding flowers but we are going the destination route so I think I'm out of luck. =( I'll just have to enjoy them at home instead!
view marie516's profile
Love, love, love peonies!
That photo reminds me on "Alice in Wonderland" where the flowers sing, I know there wasn't a peony in that scene but it looks like it's leaning over to say something. See what spring fever does to me :)
view sarrazak's profile
I got some beauties at Whole Foods yesterday (although for $11.99; should have gone to TJ's) and I'm completely in love with them. I typically like more modern-looking flowers, but peonies are just so gorgeous, they're irrestible.
view Emily the Cat's profile
the first of the season is now blooming in my garden... gorgeous
view sunan's profile
Peonies how I love thee!!
view Seaside's profile
rouquinne - I believe if you cut them and then dunk them in water, the ants will jump ship. But it needs to be a big container, like an old 5 gallon paint container, with lots of water.
view That70sHeidi's profile
My favorite flower!
view jooly's profile