Peony or paeony is a name for plants in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the flowering plant family Paeoniaceae. They are native toAsia,Southern Europe and Western North America. Boundaries between species are not clear and estimates of the number of species range from 25 [1] to 40.[2]
Most are herbaceous perennial plants 1.5 – 5 feet (0.5 – 1.5 metres) tall, but some resemble trees up to 5 – 10 feet (1.5 – 3 metres) tall. They have compound, deeply lobed leaves, and large, often fragrant flowers, ranging from red to white or yellow, in late spring and early summer.
One thing the above information from Wikipedia omits is that peonies are plentiful in Maine, and right now they are blooming like crazy. All it took was a few days of sunshine following many days of rain to color the landscape with their beauty.
Why do I get so excited about these gorgeous flowers? Because part of the year the only place I see peony stems is in a flower shop and the cost is from $3-$5, so when I have them in my own garden I am more than thrilled.
I cut as many as I dare without leaving the bushes bare.
From the time the peony is a tight little bud
to slightly unfurled
to a full blown wonder I am outside every day talking to them, making sure all their branches are supported so the weight of the blooms won’t cause them to topple over, praying that it won’t rain until their splendor is done.
The season for these beauties is all too short, but their memory lingers until the next season when they are sure to return in full glory and the thrill will be just as great.Sharing at
Lulu's Musings 
Peonies are the flower of my childhood; they don’t grow here where there isn’t a lot of winter chill that they need.
Mama always cut huge bouquets of peonies to take to the cemetery for Memorial Day. I still remember the fragrance where they sat waiting on the dining room table until time to go.
Beautiful Peonies.
Thanks for sharing these beauties.
I love Peonies, but mine are still tiny buds.
Wish you a wonderful weekend.
Mette
Love Peonies. We have white ones growing in our back yard.
I love those… and your photos too! Lovely!
Rainey @ The Project Table
One more day to enter my GIveaway! $50.00 Gift Certificate for NOVICA.
http://theprojecttable.blogspot.com/2012/06/its-summer-time-giveaway-from-project.html
If you get a chance stop by and enter…
They are such extravagant blossoms! Well captured.
Thank you for participating in Floral Friday Fotos!
The flowers are really pretty, glad you get to enjoy them in your garden.
Your peonies are beautiful, I love that maroony/purple one! I agree, their season is way too short-enjoy:@)
Today I was out in the garden willing them to stay just a little longer. I’m not sure it worked!
I adore peonies! Yours are treasures.
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Gorgeous peonies!
Beautiful peonies.
Visiting for Pink Saturday- hope you can stop by..
http://www.sweetposh.info/2012/06/pink-swimsuit.html
They are simply beautiful! I love peonies; they are such an elegant flower.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Now if I could just figure a way to have them bloom longer.
Absolutely gorgeous! Happy pink Saturday.
Come and see my PINK entry, when you get a chance, thanks!
gorgeous!
Absolutely beautiful!
Thanks Noodle. Having these beauties in my garden is such a gift!
Just beautiful. I lost some plants this year…believe it was due to the early snow melt. I think I will move some plants around to see if I can find a place for a couple of peonies. I know I am in a colder area of Maine but I have seen one home growing some.
I heard that quite a few plants were lost because of the lack of snow this winter. Luckily, ours are OK. I would think peonies would do OK where you are, but then I’m no garden expert.
thanks for your lovely weekend flowers! it´s nice to have you on board 🙂
Wonderful series!
When I was a child, my mom purchased an original watercolor painting of peonies. I remember at the time that we didn’t have very much money, but she just had to have it. It was so beautiful.
I think we ate macaroni for a month after she bought that painting! I have always associated peonies with beauty and fine art – they have a mysterious effect on some people 😉
I love this story. Whatever it was about peonies that touched your mom must have been special. Good for her for yielding to her impulse to own the painting.
Beautiful!
My entry.
I saw your wonderful lantana shots. Thanks for stopping by here.
Your peonies are gorgeous. I’m constantly amazed how much their flowers resemble a camellia.
Sam
Thank you, I love them. Yes, there is some similarity between a peony and a camellia though the camellia has a waxier texture.
I’m with you on loving Peony’s!
they’ve all but finished their season here in Denver..
and what an awesome season it was..!
I was photographing them everywhere..
would stop my car and walk to yards to capture the amazing beauty..
of these gorgeous flowers,..
sadly, i’m moving back to Florida..
sadly because Peony’s do not grow well there..
I’ve my many photos.. and memories of beautiful Denver days..
and Peony’s galore!
♥
Funny how plants choose their growing places. I’m in Maine part of the year, Houston the other, and what does well in each place is very different. Houston probably has more in common with Florida, at least the southern part. Thanks for your visit.
They look so delicate and beautiful.
Beautiful they’re. Thanks for stopping in for a look.
yes they are beautiful in all stages, unfortunately they just grow in temperate climes
I wish there were a variety that liked warmer environs.
I am so jealous! They are beautiful! I adore peonies but it is too hot in south Alabama for them. Enjoy yours!
Bonnie, one of these days you are going to have to travel to Maine where things we don’t see in our warm climate flourish.
One of my very favorite flowers! It’s a shame they don’t stick around longer, and even MORE of a shame that they cost and arm and a leg in the stores!!!
I’m with you. I can’t get enough of them so I h.ave to pay lots of attention during their short blooming season.
The flowers are gorgeous. I don’t have any and I am so enjoying yours.
Enjoy as much as you wish!
I love, love peonies! You have beautiful blooms! They like cold winter, don’t they?
They seem to survive winter very well and require very little maintenance except for cutting them back in the fall.
AMAZING!! Peonies are my favorite 😀
You have good taste. Your favorite color?
They look silky and delicate.
Delicate in a tough kind of way. Now, if this morning’s rain isn’t hard enough to damage them.