We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.
Well, peony season has arrived and I am so thrilled!! I thought I would share the best tips and tricks about cut peony care – how to force them to open, how to care for them, and when to cut them from your own garden!
My blog used to be named Peonies and Orange Blossoms, so I think that should indicate to you how much I love peonies. In fact, I got married in May because it is peony season.
Which ones to buy in the store?
- Buy the ones that are about golf-ball sized that are still very closed, if you would like them to last their longest.
When do I pick them from my peony plant from my garden?
- If you have a new peony plant, it is advised that you do not cut the flowers the first year to let the plant mature.
- You will want to cut your buds in the morning while it is still cool. You can cut the bud when it feels like a firm marshmallow, or when the very first petal starts to open. You just gently squeeze the bud in between two fingers to determine if it is ready. If the bud is still rock hard, it is not ready! If you cut it too soon, it will not open!
How do I care for my cut peonies?
- Have a vase ready with room temperature water. It is preferred if you have some flower food added to the water. Remember peonies are top heavy so many sure the vase will be able to support them.
- Cut them at a sharp angle (45 degrees) and immerse them in room temperature water. Remove all of the leaves that would touch the water.
- Check the water level every day because they are heavy water drinkers. Peonies usually open in 2-3 days if you just put them in room temperature water in a place that is receiving normal daylight.
- Change the water every other day. Further trimming the stems at a 45 degree angle every other day will also help them last longer.
How to I make them last longer?
- Immerse them in cool water. You can add ice cubes to help the water stay cooler.
- Store them in a cool, dark place. In fact, if you need them in 2-3 days and not immediately, store them in cool water in the refrigerator.
- If you have them in the tight golf-ball stage when you pick them or buy them and aren’t quite ready to use them that day, you can also wrap them in wet newspaper, tie the ends with rubber bands and keep them in the refrigerator. Pull them out when you are ready.
Below, one of my table settings using tree peonies.
How do I make them open quicker?
- When you bring them home, cut the stems at 45 degree angle and remove almost all of the foliage (and make sure you have remove all of the foliage that will touch the water).
- Place them in warm water that has flower food- not scorching hot, but warm.
- Place them in a bright sunny location.
- Repeat this process about every 4 hours. Obviously when you first cut the stem you want to make sure if you have some extra stem since you may need to cut them several times!
- Now, if you need the peonies right NOW or if they are still refusing to open after the above technique, take a vase of clean, warm water and simply submerge the head/bloom under the water. You may need only a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes. Air bubbles will start to come up and that’s how you know water is making its way into the peony bud and should indicate that it’s time to take it out.
Let’s look at some other posts where I’ve used peonies! I *love* peonies!!!
Below, a patriotic table setting using peonies.
And those are my tips and tricks for cut peony care! Below, a French country Spring table.
One of my favorite pink tables I’ve made! Filled my tulipiere with peonies!
Such gorgeous flowers. I never tire at looking at these beautiful peonies.
sharing these great tips are important. Congrats on you marriage. I have a neighbor who grows these lovely peonies as a business.
Author
Thank you so much! I will need tire of peonies either!
A very timely post as we just planted our first peonies. Good to know not to cut them the first year, but at least I now know how to care for them next year! Thanks for the great tips!
Author
oh it is perfecting timing! It is tempting to pick them!
I will be featuring your post at Best Of The Weekend tomorrow night !
Hello Angelina! I’m so glad to find you again!! I forgot you were changing your blog’s name; I apologize. I’m enjoying hopping around to all of your posts for the Spring Tea blog hop ~ everyone’s homes and tables are just beautiful. I love your peonies!! Just this past year with our move from California to Texas, I was finally found peonies available at Whole Foods. Such a wonder!!! They are definitely the roses of winter around here. 🙂
Happily pinned several of your photographs, thank you,
Barb 🙂
Author
Oh yes, I have moved both on the ‘net and in real life… and it seems you have too!! Glad You are enjoying the hop. Our roses have beat our peonies to bloom here!
I am useless with cut flowers, hopefully that will change after reading this #wonderfulwednesday@_karendennis
Author
Hopefully this will help your with peony care!
You and I are kindred spirits. I do so love, love peonies. Actually, I collect them. I left over 200 in my former garden and cried buckets of tears when I left them. Now in a much smaller garden, I have around 60 plants. All your tips are perfect. I would only add if you store them in a refrigerator be sure there are no apples in the refrigerator. Apples submit a gas that will cause the peonies to wilt.
Your post is stunningly beautiful!
Author
200 peonies! OH MY! That sounds heavenly! also, great tips about the apples… I suppose I never have apples in the house during peony season… just a gazillion types of berries instead!
Angelina, these are fabulous tips for all of us that love peonies. Your peonies are certainly gorgeous. Thanks for linking up with Gardens Galore!
Author
Thank you!
Angelina, I couldn’t find a way to comment on the gorgeous roses. Maybe the comments are closed now. I am in awe of all the fabulous roses!
Author
oh, that’s okay. Thanks for commenting anyway… didn’t realize that the comments close on old posts!