Peonies are one of the most adored and beloved flowers among all other flowers, which require minimal care and have a long life span for decades. Peony is scientifically known as Paeonia and is native to North, Asia, and Europe. Peonies are famous for their large, fragrant, stunning flowers and delicate petals and have amazing resilience and captivating fragrance. Moreover, for the first time, they were cultivated 1500 years ago in China and are titled “The King of the Flowers” and it was introduced in Europe in the 18th century.
Peony meaning
In Greek mythology, it is believed that the peony flower is named after the name of a student paeon. Paeon cured his student Pluto with the help of the roots of his flower and the man named Asclepius tried to kill Pluto after becoming jealous of Paeon’s remarkable abilities. To protect Paeon Pluto turned himself into a flower which today is known as Peony.
Symbolism of peony flower
Peony flowers symbolize a lot of things and almost there is no other flower in the world that is used to symbolize such a great number of things. In general, peonies are used to symbolize beauty, love, prosperity, wealth, and also good fortune but in different countries, different colors of peony flowers are used to symbolize different things.
White colors symbolize innocence and purity while the red flower is used to symbolize strength, bravery, and also love, and affection.In Japan, they are used as a sign of courage and honor while in France they are worn at occasions of happiness like weddings. In China, it is used to symbolize a successful romantic life and in Italian traditions, it symbolizes romance and affection.
The physical appearance of Peony Flower
Peony flowers have the following features:
Flower Shape
They have large and fragrant bowl-shaped flowers which have many small petals and five or more large outer petals. Peony blooms are large even an individual bloom can reach up to 10 inches wide.
Flower Colour
Peony flowers bloom in a variety of colors but they mostly come in four common colors red, white, pink, and yellow. Every color of the peony flower symbolizes different things like white color symbolizes peace and innocence. And one important thing is that the rarest color in peonies is purple.
Plant Form
Different varieties of peonies come in different forms. Herbaceous peonies are perennial and can grow up to a height of 1 meter. Some peony plants are present in the form of shrubs.
Leaves of peony
Peonies have large and glossy leaves which grow on the annual stem and are much divided.
Length
Peony plants which are present in the form of trees can grow up to seven feet. Herbaceous plants can grow up to 2 to 3 feet in height and 3 to 4 feet in width.
Growth of peonies
Peonies have compact growth, they grow slowly. But if they are cared for properly they grow fastly and will produce healthy and large blooms.
The importance of planting peonies
Peonies are widely used for decorations and ornamental purposes and are well known for their blooms. In China, they are referred to as the “King of the Flowers” and are used to symbolize love and honor. This is the reason, the Chinese use peony flowers in their festivals and occasions. Japanese held a Peony festival to extend the significance of the peony flower. Another important feature about peonies is that it has a comparatively long life and require low maintenance and make our homes and offices beautiful for a long time.
Uses of peonies
Peonies due to their stunning blooms are used for different purposes some of them are given below.
Use in decorations
Peonies are widely used in festivals and weddings due to their beautiful and fragrant blooms. Also, they have great importance for their decorative features. They are also grown in gardens and they are ideal for creating decorative displays.
Medical Uses
Peonies are used in medicine because it is believed that they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body. roots of peonies are effective for treating digestive issues, liver disorders, and also for menstrual cramps.
Use in cooking
Peonias petals are edible and are used for making different dishes and desserts. they are also used in salads and for decorative touch. Peony petals are also used for making herbal tea which has a lot of benefits.
Use in Art and Culture
Peonies are used in arts to symbolize different things according to different cultures and different eras. They are also used in flower festivals to symbolize different things in China they represent beauty, love, and honor.
Use in Skin Care Products
Due to its antioxidant properties, it is also used in beauty and skincare products. it has a very good effect on the skin, acts as an antiaging agent, and is grown on a large scale to meet the needs at the industrial level.
Essential oils
Peony flowers are also used for extracting oil which is used for different purposes. Moreover, there are a lot of benefits of peony oil and it is believed that peony oil reduces stress and gives relaxation.
Types of peony plant
Tree Peonies
It has woody stems and has a shrub-like appearance. This makes it unique from other types. Moreover, after the growing season, they die and emerge again in the early season. They are used for medicine as well as for ornamental purposes.
Itoh peonies
Ioth peony with large flowers and dark green leaves is also called an intersectional peony. Moreover, they are present in various colors like coral, red, yellow, white, and pink.
Paeonia lactiflora (Herbaceous peonies)
It has large round-shaped flowers of pink, yellow, crimson, and cream color and proud leaves. In comparison to tree peonies, in winter Paeonia lactifloradie back to the ground and again grows in the new growing season.
CARE GUIDE FOR PEONY
Temperature
Peony plants grow well in cold temperatures 60°F to 70°F (15°C to 21°C). For maximum flowering, they require 6-8 hours of sunlight. Plant them in September and October so they will grow in spring and will bloom healthy.
Soil condition
Well-drained soil enriched with organic matter is ideal for peony plants. In addition to it, plant them in the correct place because they cannot easily be transplanted.
Watering
Water them once a week deeply and it is enough for them as they don’t require too much care and grow easily.
Fertilization
Fertilize them before spring in a balanced amount and after the winter and avoid fertilizers with high fertilizer because they will burn the plant.