Peonies

We usually sell the Sarah Bernhardt peony. This is a double flowered peony with beautifully ruffled petals in a soft rose pink. The blooms are typically around eight inches wide, and have a delicate sweet fragrance.

From time to time, we may offer other varieties of peony, such as the Coral Charm peony. Very occasionally, we may substitute your peonies for a different variety of equal value.

Sadly, beautiful peonies are never around for long as they have a very short flowering season. British peonies are in bloom between late April and early June. These are our most popular summer flowers, so make sure you don’t miss out.

Depending on availability, we may sometimes have peonies available at other times of the year.

We send our peonies in bud to help extend their vase life. They’ll have just been cut and are at their freshest, meaning they’ll last longer. Sending them in bud also protects the delicate petals from being damaged. Peony buds aren’t always pretty; the leaves may be slightly limp and it’s normal for the buds to have discoloured spots. They will also be quite small.

Just give your bouquet a few days and it will completely transform as the peonies open and blossom. Typically, peonies bloom after 3 or 4 days in water, depending on the variety.

Our peonies arrive in bud, ready to bloom. Once they arrive, remove all the packaging and trim 2-3 cm off the stems with a sharp knife or secateurs, and remove any leaves that will fall below the waterline. If you are using a smaller vase, you may need to cut more off the stems. This will help them to fit and also ensures the peony flower receives enough water.

Check the buds for any sticky sap - this can prevent the buds from opening. If you find any, hold the stem upside down with the head pointing down under running warm water to wash the sap away.

Fill a vase three quarters full with room temperature water, add the flower food included, and place your peonies in the vase. Try to change the water every couple of days to keep your blooms hydrated and prevent any bacteria building up.

Don’t worry if your peonies don’t open straight away - they usually bloom after three or four days. However, if your peonies are still not opening after a few days, there are a few steps you can take to help them.

Make sure you’ve washed away any sap from the buds. If this doesn’t help, recut the stems and place them in warm water for 24 hours. Keeping them in a warmer room can also help them to open more quickly.

If your peonies still don’t open after these steps, please submit one of our 100% Happiness Guarantee Forms which can be found here and one of our team will put this right for you. Please attach photos if possible as this will help our team identify any issues with the stems along with improving our service going forward.

Unfortunately, eating peonies can cause problems for cats and dogs, if consumed in large amounts. Symptoms can include mild irritation of the mouth, vomiting, and depression. If you suspect your pet has eaten peonies, we recommend seeking veterinary advice. If you have pets and buy peonies, we recommend keeping the flowers in a place they can’t reach. Alternatively, view our pet friendly flowers to find a suitable bouquet.

Peonies symbolise romance, elegance, honour, wealth and abundance in the language of flowers. They’re a perfect way to send someone your best wishes for the coming months. They're great for all sorts of occasions, or just as a special treat to make the most of their short season.