Flowers We Love: Peonies

And just like that, it’s May. Glorious May, where the flower world explodes into a verdant wonderland - transforming parks, gardens and flower shops. There are many floral contenders vying for attention but there’s one stem that continues to dominate hearts year after year - it's of course, the darling peony.

These blockbuster blooms work incredibly hard during their relatively short season (no doubt contributing to the justified hysteria that surrounds them) starring in endless weddings, dazzling at events and filling homes in all their blousy glory. There are so many things to love about the peony - its sheer scale for one. After a spring of adorable woodland dwellers and fragile specimens, the (at first) modest bud unfurls into dinner plate diameters to remind us of summer's lush potency.

Another welcome trait of the genus are the sheer number of varieties - which seem to expand year after year. The Sarah Bernhardt peony is perhaps responsible for the flower family’s rise to mega-stardom, with layer upon layer of frothy pastel pink petals making it possibly one of the most requested for bridal bouquets. Let’s not forget Coral Charm - the chameleon that starts life in radiant watermelon and transforms over time into a fluorescent peach hue. Then we have Bowl of Cream which as the name suggests is almost good enough to eat, a delectable puffball that look particularly chic en masse or nestled amongst emerald green foliage. At the other end of the colour spectrum oozing sass and sophistication is the Red Charm peony - hefty competition for the rose in the romance stakes.

If you’re a fan of this early summer stem, keep an eye on our Instagram as our florists weave them into resplendent urns, bountiful bouquets and imaginative installations. You can celebrate peony season with our collection of hand-tied creations, available online and in-store.