Peonies

A peony bouquet makes a lavish gift for a birthday, an anniversary or anyone who loves garden flowers. Choose blush and pink peonies alone or mixed with roses, ranunculus and anemones, each arranged by hand by a local florist.

Every peony here arrives in bud and opens over the next few days. The guide below helps you choose a design and get the most from the blooms.

Choosing a peony bouquet

Six designs, from glass vase to wicker basket

Blissful Pink Peonies Bouquet is the purest choice: full pink peonies in a clear glass vase, in five sizes. Elegant Blush Peony Bouquet sets blush blooms in a vintage-style cut-glass vase, and Rustic Peony Arrangement packs them loosely into a handcrafted wicker basket, also in five sizes. For a mix, Secret Garden Peony Bouquet adds anemones, ranunculus and scabiosa in pink, white and green, and Blushing Beauty Peony Bouquet pairs pink peonies with red roses, lisianthus and Peruvian lilies. Spring Blossom Peony Bouquet comes as 20 pink and white stems in an apothecary jar or a 10-stem wrapped bouquet. The same six make up our birthday peonies.

Helping peonies open

Peonies are cut in tight bud so they travel well, then open over a few days into large, ruffled flowers with a sweet scent. Keep them in a cool room out of direct sun and away from ripening fruit, recut the stems and change the water every couple of days. Fully open heads are heavy, so a sturdy vase helps. A bud that stays closed often opens after a fresh cut and a few hours in lukewarm water.

Peony questions

When are peonies in season?

Peonies bloom naturally in late spring and early summer, with May and June the peak in much of the country. Growers in different regions stretch the supply, but stems can be scarcer at other times. Our shipping policy explains how the florist may substitute a flower of equal or higher value.

What do peonies symbolize?

Peonies are often linked with romance, prosperity and a happy marriage, which is why they're popular in wedding bouquets and are often named the flower for a 12th anniversary. Pink peonies suggest affection and good fortune, while white ones are often associated with respect and new beginnings.

How long does a peony bouquet last?

Expect roughly a week in all: a few days for the buds to open, then several days of full bloom. Cool water, a clean vase and a fresh cut every couple of days help, and petals dropping at the end is normal.

Can I send peonies for Mother's Day?

Yes, and Mother's Day falls close to the start of peak peony season. It's the second Sunday in May, and there are no Sunday deliveries, so pick Saturday or an earlier date. Peak holidays can occasionally delay deliveries, so ordering a few days ahead is wise.