A peony parade

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I just can’t seem to get enough peonies these days.  Everywhere I turn these brightly colored fusions of fluff and majesty grace the gardens. Their fragrance fills the air with a sweet scent luring not just the bees, but also people like me to their delightful blooms.  Peonies come in an array of colors and are native to Asia, Europe and North America.  Peonies are outrageously beautiful in bloom, the foliage stays lush and green all summer long.  They are known to live long lives, some as old as 100 years.  The plants require little maintenance so long as they are planted in the right way and get established.  I’ve found out the hard way that they do not respond too well to transplanting.  They are strikingly effective when planted in groups, they also pair beautifully with columbine and irises.

I volunteer at Goodstay Gardens about a 10 minute walk from my home.  For more information on these gardens do read my previous post.  Goodstay boasts a fairly large swath of these beauties and there’s a certain time that one can catch them in all their blooming glory.  That time is right now, so sit back and enjoy some of the elegance and splendor in this peony parade.

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IMG_7341The above pale salmon colored peony has got to be my favorite of the lot.

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IMG_7346Look at these cheery columbine below

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Ahh the scents and sounds of nature.  Turn up the volume to listen to the video.
Linking this post to Fiesta Friday with co-hosts Loretta @ Safari of the Mind and Linda @ Fabulous Fare Sisters

Published by Loretta

47 Replies to “A peony parade”

    1. Thanks Julie, love it when the peonies are all grouped together, it creates such a dramatic impact. It’s a pity they don’t last that long, however I’m noticing that because of the cooler spring, they are up just a bit longer than normal. I love showing these gardens, both online and in person. I always call it an extension of my own garden :). Can’t wait to get the veggies planted there, right now all we have is garlic, onions and beets. It’s been too cool at nights for tomatoes or the other summer veggies. Thanks for stopping by Julie 🙂

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    1. Thanks Ronit, so glad you liked them. I too love them and am obsessed by them at the moment. Thankfully we’ve been enjoying them a bit longer this season as the month of May has been pretty cool.

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  4. I love the peach one and the one in the first photo with the yellow center. All breathtakingly beautiful. Were these all perennial or were some Chines Tree peonies or Itho hybrids? Werre the stunning purple flowers aquilegia?

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    1. They were all so beautiful Johanne, and because we’ve had a much cooler May, they are lasting even longer. You’re absolutely right on the aquilegia, and this post was on the perennial peonies. We have a few Chinese tree peonies in the garden too that I had pictured when they first bloomed which is much before the perennials put on their show. Just love this time of year with all that is blooming.

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      1. They’re all gorgeous! I always think of peonies as the grande dame of the garden – old fashioned and overblown. Mine are interspersed with Iris because they bloom at the same time in my area. I’ve never seen aquilegia that looked like that – stunning! I’d love to have a swath of peonies like that!!

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  6. Oh yes, I adore peonies, too. Everybody does! They are just breathtakingly beautiful, your photos capture it perfectly. Mine aren´t in bloom yet, I planted them earlier this spring, hoping to get some blossoms soon!

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  10. Loretta,
    What a great idea to include the video with the sights and sounds of summer. I like stone walls very much so enjoyed those in the background too.
    I love the beauty and the smell of peonies too. I have the darker magenta ones in my garden and have buds now. I will put up the pictures when they bloom. The columbines are so gorgeous! Love that color. I don’t have any of those. I absolutely love this time of the year with everything blooming!
    Great share and photos!

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    1. Thanks Sandhya, you and me both love stone walls. I deliberately tried to catch some of that in the video. I used to have the magenta ones in my old house too, but I did not bring them with me, and I miss them so. The columbines are so easy to grow, they increase and multiply on their own and are beautiful when grouped together. This purple aquilegia variety caught my eye. Anyway, there’s hardly any room in my beds anymore, so I have these gardens to enjoy just literally a 10 minute walk from home. Would love to see some of your garden photos, I always look forward to seeing other gardens and designs. I follow a couple of gardening bloggers who really inspire me. Enjoy your weekend, we were in the high 70’s today and tomorrow the prediction is for a high of 57deg. I’m so cross with this yo-yo weather. Our girls will be home this weekend as we have a big retirement party for my husband. Fortunately I don’t have to cook as it is all catered and will be at a restaurant in a private setting. Always appreciate your visits Sandhya, thanks again.

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      1. Congratulations to your husband and best wishes! Relax and enjoy the party.
        It is so nice that your girls will be home for the weekend. I know what you mean about the weather:(

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  14. Oh wow Loretta. How blessed you are to be in such a tranquil place! I could just imagine sitting on that bench, the gentle breeze on my face, birds singing and drinking in the delicious smell of all those gorgeous flowers. Thank you very much for co-hosting this weekend and for sharing such a lovely video – I think I’m going to go and sit on my swinging chair, put the video on full screen and pretend I’m amidst the peonies… 🙂

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    1. Awww, so glad you enjoyed it all, I just loved all the birds singing in the video and the peonies slowly swaying in the wind. I love that bench too, and that’s exactly what I do sometimes. Just sit and soak it all in, and with the added scents of the flowers, it is just intoxicating! So glad you were able to stop by and take in a tour of the peony gardens. 🙂

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      1. You know it was all so lovely I was talking about it yesterday when visiting my parents!!! It inspired me to actually look around their lovely cottage garden and take lots of photos! 🙂

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  19. Ahhh…so beautiful! Volunteering in the garden, must bring so much joy! When I’m feeling down, I love to stroll through my local greenhouse and gaze upon the beautiful flowers and take in the wonderful scents. It always lifts my spirtis. Now I can’t wait for my peonies to bloom!

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    1. Yes it’s a similar feeling I’m sure Nancy. Just love to be outside working, there’s nothing like being surrounded by cheery bird calls and the scents of nature. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

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  21. I really enjoyed looking at all the pictures of the different types of peonies, Loretta! The only time I ever see those is a couple weeks a year at Trader Joes. I had no idea there were so many different kinds. How wonderful to have such a gorgeous garden near you! Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse of it.

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    1. Thank you Shari, so glad you enjoyed the pictures. I didn’t realize that peonies did not grow in Arizona – you learn something new everyday. At least you can visit Trader Joes and enjoy the peony parade there 🙂 I must say the flowers are really cheap at TJ, I love going there too. Yes, the garden is a hop and a jump from where I live, so I walk there once a week and spend about 5 hours with other volunteers. xo

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