Peony Flowers

Peony Flowers - Uk. Send Online Flower

Name : Peony Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Paeonia, (Paeonia lactiflora)
Peony Description

Peony or Paeony is the common name given to 25 to 40 flowering plants that make up the genus Paeonia which is the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. Peony varieties are native to Asia, southern Europe and western North America. Peonies are among the most ancient ornamental plants in history having been cultivated in China for more than 2,000 years and in home gardens for over 600 years. The earliest trace of the peony was found in a first century tomb.

Most Peony varieties are herbaceous perennials ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 metres in height; others are woody shrubs 1.5–3 metres tall. Leaves are compound and deeply lobed while the blossoms are large and often fragrant. Peony flowers appear in late spring and early summer.

The pretty Peonies are available in shades of pinks and reds, white, yellow, purple, salmon, apricot, ivory or cream, and bicolours.

Peonies are hardy plants that need little care and can survive severe winters as well. Once established in a garden, Peonies bloom dependably each spring for many years provided they are not disturbed. Faithful Peonies are known to survive for as long as 50 years in a garden. They thrive in full sun and a fertile, well-drained soil. Peonies propagate by division of clumps in autumn, or by seeds. When grown in full sun, Peonies leaves turn burgundy in colour within a week.

With their lush, full, rounded blooms, peonies are excellent garden plants that look great in borders and the back of perennial flower beds. Peonies can be employed for some interesting landscaping in the garden and their bold look and beautiful colours can dramatically transform the overall look of your garden.

Peonies are ideal cut flowers as well, with a vase life of 2-7 days and large full blossoms in a wide array of colours they make the perfect mass flower and fit well in any colour scheme. They add drama, grandeur and grace to table centerpieces and bouquets, adding to the ambience.

Some of the few varieties of Peonies are: Chinese cut flower Peonies, Semi-double Peonies, Anemone Peonies, Japanese Peonies, Fernleaf Peonies, and Single Peonies.

Peony Meaning

Since ancient times, Peonies have been considered as the symbol of Wealth, Luck, Happiness, Elegance, Compassion, and Poise. The pretty Peony flower also symbolizes A Happy Life, Happy Marriage, Good Health and Prosperity.

Peony is the 12th wedding anniversary flower and is considered the embodiment of Female Beauty and Reproduction, Romance, Nobility and Value.

When gifted in full bloom, the peony signifies Peace.

Peony Mythology

According to Greek mythology, the peony is named after Paeon or Paean who was a student of the Greek god of medicine and healing, Asclepius. Apollo's mother and goddess of fertility, Leto instructed Paeon to obtain a magical root growing on Mount Olympus that would soothe the pain of women in childbirth. But Asclepius became jealous of his pupil and threatened to kill him. Zeus saved Paeon from the wrath of Asclepius by turning him into the blossom we now know as Peony.

According to another myth, mischievous nymphs were believed to hide in the petals of the Peony flower thus causing this splendid flower to be associated with the meaning of Shame, Indignation or Bashfulness.

The inherent beauty of Peonies has left its due mark on famous artists as well, and some of the more renowned examples of peony in art are Peonies, or Pivoines, by Pierre-Auguste Renoir; Peonies, Lilacs, and Tulips, again by Renoir; and Bouquet of Peonies by Edouard Manet.

The Indiana General Assembly declared peony as the state flower of Indiana in 1957; replacing zinnia which had been the state flower since 1931.

Peony, along with the plum blossom, is a traditional floral emblem of Mongolia, and the P. suffruticosa is called m?d?n or fùguìhu?, meaning "flower of riches and honour."

Peony is also used symbolically in Chinese art and in 1903, the Qing Dynasty declared the peony as their national flower.

The ancient Chinese city Luoyang is known as a famous cultivation centre for these enchanting blossoms. In Japan, P. lactiflora was called ebisugusuri, meaning "foreign medicine" and in the Japanese adaptation of Chinese medicine, kampo, peony root was used as a treatment for convulsions. Furthermore, the Japanese call P. suffruticosa the "The King of flowers" whereas P. lactiflora is considered to be the "prime minister of flowers." The Chinese call Peonies the Flower Fairy.