Peonies are back in fashion: their flowers are enchantingly beautiful and have an extraordinary scent. And what can be done to make harvested peonies last longer if soaked in a vase? There are tricks that can be used. Find out what and when to collect peonies, how to keep them fresh for as long as possible:
Rūta Žiugždė, harvested peony farm «Ruth’s Garden» the hostess, tells what and when to collect flowers, how to prepare them so that soaked peonies do not quickly fall.
1. Peonies must be harvested at a certain time
Peonies are suitable for harvesting when:
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Tim Richardson: Garden designers will cure global warming- The bud has not yet opened its petals,
- He’s not so cool anymore,
- The bud is just starting to spread – it’s just softened.
Rūta says specialists call this bud stage a marshmallow: it’s quite soft, but the petals haven’t opened yet. If the head is hard, does not even press, it means that it was collected too early, some varieties of peonies will never bloom at home.
Of course, you can also harvest open peonies if you grow them for fun, but the professionals wouldn’t do that.
If you pick marshmallow scene flowers, your bouquet will be made up of single buds. Therefore, for a greater effect today, Rūta recommends creating a bouquet by combining both buds and already opened flowers. Some will be beautiful now, others will bloom in a few weeks.
2. How to soak peonies
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How to make branches bloom and which branches are suitable for thisBefore soaking peonies in water, you need to cut the tip of the stem diagonally with a very sharp knife. There should be as much diagonal area as possible for drinking water.
If you cut with household scissors or use a blunt knife, you can crush the tender edges of the stem through which peonies drink water. Without moisture, peonies will wilt faster.
The leaves should also be removed: they waste nutrients and encourage rot in water.
The water in the vase must be fresh, clean and must be changed daily.
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Ilze Ruksane: Peonies and marigolds are back in fashion in LatviaIf this is not possible, you can add means that can be found in flower beds and specialized stores. But for home use it is not really necessary: just change the water every day.
3. Which varieties of peonies are best suited
Ruth draws attention to the groups of peonies. To grow peonies for harvesting, you should be selective cut flowers group of peonies. If you grow for beauty in the yard, choose landscape group. You can find this information on the Internet, under peonies. Even when growing peonies in the harvest group, different peonies have different shelf lives in vases. The entire Rūta field is cultivated with varieties intended exclusively for harvesting. And he distinguishes several:
‘Henry Bockstoce’ – the peony flower of this variety keeps well in a vase for two weeks if the flower is cut at the bud stage. Perhaps the longest-lived peony is yet to be seen, says the breeder.
Classic peonies: pink ‘Sarah Bernhardt’, ‘Dinner Plate’, white ‘Gardenia’.
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‘Bartzella’ (Itoh) is a hybrid of tree and herbaceous peony, unique in its color. The bright yellow flowers with red shades at the base are full or semi-full.
A great early variety: ‘Alexander Fleming’.
Coral peonies: they grow well, they stay wet for a long time, the peculiarity is that they change the color of the flower as they open. One of the most beautiful is ‘Etched Salmon’.
So that the peonies in the garden grow for a long time
It is very important to note that the peony bush must be protected. It is not possible to collect more than 50%. flowers, if you want the bush not to weaken, advises Rūta.
A peony can grow in one place for 25-50 years, so if you start weakening the bush from the first year, you will not be able to grow a beautiful and strong bush that will be decorated with flowers for many years
Conlusion
Peonies have undeniably returned to the spotlight, admired for their lush, romantic blooms and unforgettable fragrance. Their timeless elegance makes them a favorite both in gardens and in floral arrangements. However, to truly enjoy their beauty indoors, proper harvesting and care are essential. The difference between peonies that wilt quickly and those that last for days often lies in the details of when and how they are cut.
Timing is everything. As advised by Rūta Žiugždė, the hostess of Ruth’s Garden, peonies should be harvested at the right bud stage — when they are soft like a marshmallow but not yet fully open. Cutting them too early may prevent blooming, while cutting them fully open significantly shortens vase life. Clean, sharp tools and early morning harvesting also help preserve freshness.
Preparation after cutting is equally important. Removing excess leaves, trimming stems at an angle, and placing the flowers immediately in clean, cool water supports hydration. Regularly changing the water, keeping the vase away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and re-cutting the stems every couple of days can significantly extend their lifespan. Simple care routines can make a noticeable difference in how long peonies maintain their fullness and scent.
Ultimately, enjoying long-lasting peonies indoors is not complicated — it simply requires attention to timing and proper handling. With expert advice and a few practical tricks, you can extend the life of these enchanting blooms and fully appreciate their beauty and fragrance in your home.
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