It ’s a prime with prodigious beauty , a deep history , and multifaceted symbolism . With its luxuriant , opulent petals and delightful scent , this bloom captivates the sess like few others , function as a timeless marking of nature ’s elegance and grace . celebrate for centuries around the ball as a harbinger of prosperity , honor , and romance , it ’s the staring embodiment of the beauty and profundity of the innate world .
For these reasons and so many more , 1-800-Flowers.com announces the peony as the 2024 Flower of the Year .
A flower that put up abovePeonies truly are one of the gravid superstars of the floral world . Rare and fleeting , with their showy blooms hold up only a short metre each spring , it ’s intemperately not to roll in the hay this dazzle efflorescence .
The delicate , layered , bowl - like blossoms of the peony are a thing of wonderment . form by an outer layer of “ safeguard ” flower petal , scads and loads of interior petals — more than 300 in some sheath — and a lush heart and soul of pollen - conduct stamens , a peony blossom is a study of artistic creation that Mother Nature can blow about . browse in color from white-hot to yellowed , pink to carmine , purplish , precious coral — and almost everything in between — peony plants create some of the most vibrant and breathless flowers around . And these blooms can be massive at times , sometimes reaching the size of a small dinner plate !
More than just a pretty “ human face , ” peonies also smell as delicious as they look . The memorable fragrance of a paeony is perfumed floral and often described as get a pernicious , rose - like aroma with hints of citrus fruit or spice . Its smell is definitely as captivate and alluring as that of any prime you ’ll find .
A timeless symbolic representation of affectionRoses may be known for the romance they bring . Last year ’s flower of the year , the orchid , is renowned for its polished passion and persuasion . But with their delight efflorescence and ephemeral availability , the gift of paeony fetch dependable and lasting desire and is also a beloved symbol of passion and heart .
“ The peony is known for its beauty and elegance , and it ’s one of the most popular flowered potpourri multitude can give , ” says Alfred Palomares , frailty president of merchandising at 1-800-Flowers.com .
“ Due to the short menses in which they bloom , paeony are considered a delicacy in the flowered earthly concern that is highly seek after , ” he adds . “ They ’re not always easy to acquire , and that modified availability adds to the charm and elegance of this esteemed prime . ”
They ’re also immerse in symbolization and cultural meaning .
“ Peonies are symbolic of love and Romance language , as well as good fortune and prosperity , ” Palomares says . “ Each individual flower is like a work of artistic creation . Their petals are layer and , when they flower , make an dainty efflorescence of rippled petals , giving them a full - bodied shape that ’s gross for nosegay and arrangements for someone special in your aliveness . ”
The material of legendWith a storied history date back centuries , paeony are believed to have arise in China , where they are highly view and often associated with riches , honor , and stunner .
The flower also played a prominent function in early Greek and Roman civilization . The peony is nominate after Paeon , who was a student of Asclepius , the Greek graven image of medicine and healing . As legend has it , Paeon once used a paeony to treat one of Zeus ’ wounding . When Asclepius becomes murderously jealous of his educatee , Zeus saves Paeon by turn him into a peony flower .
A cosmopolitan blossomLike lavender , irises , and poppy , peonies in North America tend to blossom just as spring really suffer afoot , in late April and early May . But those bloom are short - lived and last only one to two weeks , max . After that , the plant will carry on or can be bring down back — but fear not , it will return again the following twelvemonth .
“ This implausibly short windowpane of blooming can make getting and selling peonies a real challenge , ” says Kevin Cochran , vice chairwoman of procurement at 1-800-Flowers.com . He should know : His squad is responsible for purchase and ensure the quality of millions of flowers each year , handle a provision chain that begins with flower farm a continent away and ends with the deliverance of a beautiful redolence … and a smile .
harmonise to Cochran , the paeony sell by 1-800-Flowers.com arrive from all corners of the globe . In the fall , that can mean bloom that are vanish in from New Zealand or Chile . In January and February , many peonies come from Israel and the surrounding region . After that , yield turns domesticated , with harvest coming from North Carolina and parts of the Midwest up to Michigan and finally ending all the path north in Alaska . After that , it ’s off to Europe , where peony blooms are sourced from Spain , France , and Holland .
“ paeony are truly singular because they ’re come from multiple areas all around the humans , ” Cochran says . “ They ’re rare and can be really hard to get commercially — and that make them even more meaningful . ”
Caring for peony bloomsPeonies are frail and involve right precaution to ensure a maximal life , Palomares state .
That starts with hydrating them as soon as they are delivered . Trim the stems and immediately put them in a vase fill up with tepid water supply and flower intellectual nourishment . Re - prune the root word and replace the flowers ’ water every other Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , adding additional flower food when you do .
“ care your peony blooms with precaution , ” Palomares advises . “ They should be positioned away from direct sunlight , cool or hot line outlet , and any fresh fruit that is ripening . ”
For more data : www.1800flowersinc.com
