In a vase on Monday: Paeonia japonica

When you have this many blossoms on a plant, cutting a couple for a bouquet doesn't make a noticeable difference. This is my ten-year-old Paeonia japonica, a species peony that grows in a bit of shade and blooms weeks earlier than traditional lactiflora peonies. 

Initially I thought perhaps the pale petals and the gray tea bowl needed a bit of natural stone as a background. The color and the lichens were perfect. But I decided the scale of the rocks threw the whole display off, so I brought it indoors.

The petals on this particular peony look like silk with a deckle edge. Their delicate appearance belies their hardiness in the spring garden. This plant went through days of cold, rainy weather and at least one frost when it was fully budded out.

Potter and gardener Frances Palmer put two of her species peonies in a tea bowl on her Instagram feed and I decided to try my own version. And no, I did not put that petal in the photo. It fell off on its own as I was getting the flowers where I wanted them in the tea bowl. 

Alas, it was a very short-lived arrangement. I think those days of fluctuating temperatures and rain had taken its toll by the time I made this arrangement. Still, I find this a beautiful plant and flower at every stage of its life. 

To see what other gardeners are putting into a vase today, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who is the lovely host of this wonderful meme.

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

It is a beauty despite its delicacy. Happy IAVOM.

[Loree / danger garden]

That's just beautiful, no matter where you place it or if the petals are on, or off.

[Cathy]

Oh what a delicate story it tells - thanks for sharing the peony and the story with us, Linda

[Peter/Outlaw]

The way the petal in the second picture echoes the shape of the lichens on the rock is perfect. Exquisite in it's simple elegance. Silky petals fell faster than a prom dress.

[Kris P]

Peonies are beautiful even in disarray. I so wish I could get them to bloom for me. I once planted a herbaceous peony and tried to simulate winter for its benefit with regular application of ice cubes around its base. Needless to say, my effort was unsuccessful! My Itoh peony is still alive but resolutely refuses to bloom.

[Susie]

Beautiful in all its stages.

[Linda Brazill]

I love your way with words!

[Eliza Waters]

I agree, there's beauty in all stages!

[ricki]

The ephemeral quality of so many of our bouquets makes them even more special, don't you think? That is a stunning peony and now you have the photos to capture the moment of perfection.