Here ’s exactly how and when to harvest peony blossom for maximal enjoyment , according to a flower farmer .
Laurie Black
Key Takeaways
With their delicious blooms , peony are treasured as cut flowers , but their comparatively brief efflorescence time of year makes harvest timing a act tricky . A single flower typically flower on the industrial plant for about 7 - 10 days , and perhaps 5 - 7 day in a vase . These expert tips will help youextend the peony seasonandget the most out of your peony bouquets .
Lindsey McCulloughis a flower farmer and co - owner of Red Twig Farms in Ohio .
Choosing Your Peonies
Peonies sweep about three metrical unit magniloquent and wide of the mark andbloom the best in full sun . If your garden has space for more than one peony , pick out peony spanning fromearly- , middle- , and recent - time of year bloomerswill keep the blossoms coming as long as possible .
Flower farmer Lindsey McCullough , who with her husband Josh , has beengrowing peonies(and tulip and dahlias ) since 2012 at Red Twig Farms in cardinal Ohio . The farm is have intercourse for shipping tens of thousands of peony stem in box in give , and for its “ give - a - sweetness - to - a - stranger ” programme , advance community unselfishness . Here are some of McCullough ’s best-loved snub - flower performing artist spanning the full peony time of year :
former - season motley : ‘ Coral Charm ’ , ‘ Coral Sunset ’ , and fernleaf peonies ( Paeonia tenuifolia ) .
Credit:Laurie Black
Mid - season variety : ‘ Duchesse de Nemours ' , ‘ Festiva Maxima ’ , ‘ Monsieur Jules Elie ’ , and ‘ water ice ’ ; ‘ Angel Cheeks ’ , ‘ Best Man ’ , ‘ Sweet Sixteen ’ , ‘ Mother ’s Choice ’ , and ‘ Karl Rosenfield ’ .
Late - season miscellany : ‘ Bartzella ’ ( Intersectional / Itoh paeony ) , ‘ Dr. Alexander Fleming ' , ‘ Fantastic ' , ‘ Bowl of Cream ’ , ‘ Felix Crousse ’ , ‘ Red Charm ’ , and ‘ Sarah Bernhardt ’ .
Depending on the weather , you may be able-bodied to stretch the season to up to six week . Warm temperatures speed up the bloom , shorten the time of year .
“ female parent Nature represent a big part , though , ” says McCullough . “ We have in our past , had our mid- and late- varieties harvest before our early ones were quick . “ So , it ’s not a full guarantee they will go as project with former , mid and ending with tardy . But no matter what , you will have a lot of beautiful blooms . ”
Intersectional or Itoh peonies , a cross between herbaceous andtree peony , offer the skilful of both species : strong stems , succulent foliation , and a longer flower period . They tend to bloom in mid- to tardy spring and hold up especially well in arrangements , make them a favorite among peak farmers .
Peony Harvesting Tips
Here ’s what you require to know to create the most bountiful , beautiful peony bouquets this twelvemonth .
1. Stake your plants.
Those toilsome , sports stadium - like flowers demand support to keep from breaking . Protect your flush bystaking peonieswith ready - made or DIY supports in outpouring just as unexampled growing seem .
2. Let the plant mature before harvesting.
It can take three or four years after constitute before a peony hits its stride . Until then , countenance the works to put its muscularity into establish source and foliage rather than flower production . Once mature , established plant will be better able-bodied to support bigger blush and a longer harvest home time of year .
3. Don’t worry about ants.
McCullough tell the telephone number one progeny her clients ask about is , “ What should I do about the ants ? ” Many first - clock time growers become alarmed seeingants swarming their peony buds , but it ’s really a harmless symbiotic relationship .
“ We separate our customers that ants are a unspoilt affair , ” says McCullough . “ The peony provides pismire solid food from their nectar and then the ants protect the flower from worm such as aphid and thrips , to name a few . ”
4. Use the right tools.
When the day come to cut your peonies , you ’ll want asharp twain of bypass hand prunersor “ snips , ” and a bucketful of water at the quick .
5. Cut at the right stage.
Home gardener , McCullough say , can trim back their peonies when the bud have just opened . If you do require to cut them betimes , for instance to be ready for a limited event , try this tip from the professional person . To allow for merchant marine , blossom farmers like McCullough crop peonies at what ’s called the “ marshmallow leg . ” How to tell ? It ’s “ when a squeezed bud feel like a marshmallow , ” she say .
Whichever method acting you choose , she hint dress the bloom at the stand of the stem for good vase display , ideally leave two set of leave-taking on each stalk .
6. Harvest at the right time of day.
McCullough says your prime will be fresher if curve either in the early dayspring or at crepuscule . avert the heat of the twenty-four hour period , which accentuate the flower and causes them to wilt faster .
7. Keep cut flowers hydrated at all times.
Once cut , plunge the stems in your water bucket like a shot to keep them as hydrous as potential . The warmth of your home will remind the blossoms to open to their full magnificence .
Frequently Asked Questions
Planting too deeply can diminish or prevent flowering . But if you institute at the right depth , other reason that your works is n’t flowering could be because it is n’t fully ripe , get enough sunlight , or it ’s been overfertilized .
engraft your peonyso the eyes present up , and from a half - inch to 2 inch below the soil surface . While you should n’t plant mysterious than 2 inches , it ’s recommended to plant on the shallower side in warm clime , and deeper in cooler regions .
