The latest batch of peonies from my garden…Sarah Bernardt are the huge pink
mop heads, one of the last of my dark pink Kansas peonies…
The aptly named Vivid Pink…
Festiva Maxima is white with pink markings…
I bring them inside when they are just beginning
to explode from their tight balls…
Ebullient, wanton, the most intoxicating and temperamental
flower in my garden. To paraphrase that vintage commercial:
why do I grow peonies?…because they’re worth it!
Carolyn Quartermaine hand painted silk on gilded French chairs…
an artist’s hand…
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Carolyn Quartermaine Unwrapped
Jacques Dirand photography
these flowers are just truly amazing thanks for such a beautiful thought on a sunday morning
On the lot that contains the house that we will tear down, the former owner was quite the gardener and had one peony bush (not sure why there was just one). But, that one bush had the most beautiful blooms earlier in May. We enjoyed a great bouquet for our own house, and clipped a few flowers for the teacher birthdays that came up in May. I am a new fan of peonies!
Incidentally, I was in Suzanne Kasler’s office last week, when she received word of being on the Elle Decor list of top designers. She had just sent a bouquet of peonies to Margaret Russell because it is Ms. Russell’s favorite flower!
These are so beautiful, I cannot stop looking at your photos fearing I will miss some little detail. We cannot grow peonies here because of the heat, and the moment they appear in the marketplace they simply fly out the door. Everyone loves these flowers, don’t they. Now, about those chairs….yummy yummy yummy. xx’s Marsha
Trish, your posts make my days! I hope you realize how much joy you bring to others! Beautiful peonies, mine have done the best this year in NC, and I ADORE carolyn Quartermaine! Have a wonderful week!! Kathy
gorgeous, how I wish you were my neighbor Trish. I can almost smell them. pgt
I love them! And the chairs… I guess all your garden work is paying off. Just gorgeous….Maryanne xo
More breath-taking peonies—I’m sooo envious! Love the chairs, too!
6 years ago I too moved into a home with Peonies already in the garden…what a beautiful surprise when I saw them come up for the very first time, I fell in love instantly! and the chairs are stunning!
I can smell them! Must be the strong westerly winds here in Kansas today. True to form in Kansas: peonies open and strong winds/storms smash through. Always sad to see the ones that failed to open. Henry Mitchell, the late great Washington Post garden writer loved, luxuriated in peonies and was always quick to point out that when the shouting was over, a perfectly lovely tropical looking foilage plant was left behind. Not such a bad deal. Sarah looks gorgeous!
I always wonder whether peonies weather better in or out, cut…in your case I’d be bringing bucketfuls indoors! I’ve successfully kept some (big buds, but yet unopened) in a second fridge I have for a week. Wonderful to pull out that last batch when all else is gone.
Absolutely beautiful…thank you!
Fabulous images. Great peonies always remind me of delicately tinted paper or fabric.
It’s funny- our peonies are just starting to bloom here. Such happiness they bring!
Your photos are wonderfully rich. I’d love to visit your garden, Trish!
happy sunday dear friend..i am sooo lving this post and will be in my garden today exploring the peonies, roses, columbines and lily of the valley… simply my favorite part of any day… hope you are well xx pam
Trish,
I should not only plant roses but also Peonies in my garden!!
I love them too!!!
Thank you for your comment on my post and for the tip! You are wonderful! Love you!!!
xx
Greet
I have some great photos of peony hedges dripping over a front row of lavender…somewhere! Belgium get such a lovely winter chill…can just imagine how gorgeous peonies would be there!
Exquisite!!!!!!!!!
Ah lovely, Trish. Yesterday, I finally succumbed as I was afraid they’d be gone from a Thurs. farmer’s market. I deducted $10.00 of stuff from my market basket after I checked that I could make meals the whole week w/out the items. I convinced two women in silent (& then open) debate to do the same thing. One looked about to cry & the other was giving herself massive forehead wrinkles. Everyone was relieved, tension broken. Peony bunches all gone in minutes. (There was a herd o’ peony purchasers after us.) I wasn’t a philosophy & religion undergrad for nothing.
xo
I throw myself into the deep end of my peony ruffles every spring…I’m glad I’m not alone! And I’ll NEVER forget a bouchet of New Zealand peonies a dinner guest brought in December. HUGE blooms.
i’m so jealous you can grow them. they are my favourite flower.
I so enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing your beautiful peonies. Our California Coast is to mild to grow them. They are amazing.
Oh my goodness! Your peonies are fabulous…..not to mention the photos you took. My grandmother grew peonies in her yard and I’ve loved since I was a child!! Thanks for sharing these.
marcie
Hi Trish,
They sure ARE worth it! most beautifull photographs…honestly you could have these printed for post cards..
Your garden must be an absolute delight. I remember May 2009- at the Isle Sur la Sourge Sunday market, as we were walking down the road early in the morning towards the stalls, people were passing us with bunches of Peonies they had purchased . It made me skip towards the flower sellers to get my own bunch, now THAT is willpower, to pass the monogrammed linen to see the Peonies first!! I felt like a bride. Thank you for sharing. Col x
Compliment on the way – got up, wanted eye candy, clicked straight into Trouvais, was NOT disappointed.
what lovely flowers, they can really change an interior. I love your picture, always tasteful and beautiful. Here, the weather is improving, so that means more time in my garden, thanks for the inspiration!
solange
I can almost smell these luscious peonies. Where are the ants?
Those peonies are unbelievable! Mine are still hard little buds. Hopefully soon they’ll be bloomin’!
I have some tight buds left…hard to predict with this unseasonably cold weather when they’ll unfurl. I hope everyone posts their shots…the season is way too short. Might have to start cruising florists later this month.
Hi Trish,
I adore your peonies, and they remind me of a lacy stiff petticoat, I had when I was little.
Your garden must be a delight to walk around. Many thanks for sharing all the beauty.
Love the delicate and pretty chairs.
Have a happy week
Hugs
Carolyn
Peonies are the one flower I can’t grow in Southern California that I wish I could; they were abundant in my Grandmother’s garden in Canada….I only have my Yves Piaget roses to substitute…thanks for the lovely photos!
i am soooo jealous of your flowers. they are beyond beautiful. you are soooo lucky.
i LOVE THE PICTURE OF YOUR DRESSING ROOM ! SO ROMANTIC
YOUR PIONEERS ARE GORGEOUS !
hAVE A GREAT WEEK !
These are exceptional beauties and the pictures are equally stunning. Adore peonies and this round-up is terrific!
Trish, the peonies are just too beautiful and your pictures are exquisite.Mine are still buds here in Canada.We are having a very hot week coming up so I hope they will burst soon. Thank you again for a lovely post. Nella
Trish,
Thank goodness I did not make it sooner to see your peonies or these truly stunning photos…puts mine to shame and I would have been reluctant to post! I need a better camera and some of your amazing photography skills. I want to make copies of every one of these pictures and hang them from my office walls.
This was just so divine…off to check out some other posts here…
~Rebecca
Trish,
Forgive me if I am being redundant just not sure if I pressed the submit button last time and perhaps you have comment moderation enabled.
Anyway, your peonies and photography skills are breathtaking!!! I truly wish these were my photos!
~Rebecca
i love you…….
I can almost smell them!
I have had the most wonderful time browsing through all the blogposts.
Just Lovely….