Hello everyone! Happy Sunday!! I should be out weeding but I couldn’t resist posting a few peony photos! A bouquet in a bucket…almost two dozen herbaceous peonies in my favorite colors…deep red Kansas and Sarah Bernhardt…
A paler pink peony mixing in the border with a red rose and linaria purupea…aka Toadflax…a rampant self-seeder. 
Kansas again with Vivid Pink…backed by espaliered apple and my striped bourbon rose Honorine de Brabant and a broad leaved salvia. 
Here…while still in bud in the border…dusted with rose petals…Erigeron (Santa Barbara daisy) gambolling about …
A real show-off in the garden…love all the bright beauty against galvanized metal and stone grays. In the midst of all the outside work we’re doing, and since I’m still deciding on a new computer, I decided to take advantage of being in limbo to have my office gutted and rewired, the ceiling raised. No more trailing extension cords! The little round window was a happy surprise behind the walls.
The limewash color I’m using on the walls is called “”Old Stone Wall” from Sydney Harbour Paints here. (I seem to be always in the garden…whether inside or out!). To be continued! FYI: I’m testing out an ad program that WordPress allows. Normally I pay WordPress to NOT advertise on my blog. So we’ll see. Busy week ahead but I’m getting the hang of using my husband’s editing software. My strategy is to make him so sick of me taking over his computer that he succumbs to my demands!…and yes…I am thinking of the going over to “the dark side” (his words…not mine)…switching from PC to Apple).
Trish,
I’m so happy to see your garden today! I check every day to see if you have something to share.
I want to thank you for writing the plant names. I have added so many new flowers to my garden because of you. Now looking for more peonies to add.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Miranda
SF Bay Area
Hi Miranda! So many nurseries tried to discourage because peonies do generally need more cold than here in Northern California. I think the biggest problems with peonies NOT blooming in our area is they are planted too deep. Some of mine have sunk over time and need to be lifted up a bit. They can feel the cold a bit more this way!
Ohhh… good to know. I have an area of the garden that steps down, so a little colder. But, also partial shade- wonder if that would work.
You have wonderful style and a sensational garden!
Tina Blakeney
Thank you Tina. It does help that it is 20 years old! Lots of trial and error…what worked stayed.
Unbelievably beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Your blog is truly inspiring! You’ll never regret going to an Apple.
Thank you! I am loath to change…especially when I get comfortable with technology. Perhaps a good thing that I’m forced from time to time!
Trish!! You made my day! I just cut some white peonies that were leaning a little too close to the ground. The Peony is truly my favorite flower. I wish someone would come up with one that blooms later in the season. Seems like most of my favoite flowers bloom in May and June. Oh, and the Pierre du Ronsard rose I was going to put in. Here in Minnesota, it’s a bit tricky zone wise, and I’ve learned over the years not to attempt to grow something that may not last the winter. I’ve nursed too many iffy plants! So we replaced the hydrangea with a Rugosa shrub rose that needs absolutely NO extra care. Just know that you are blessed to live in your climate! Thanks for the gorgeous pics!
Its freezing cold here in the Uk so no lovely flowers for us yet , had to light our woodstove tonight . Unfortunately the bad weather has spoilt a lot . lovely photos as always . Sallie
So sorry Sallie! Soon! And I’ll be wishing it was cooler soon!
a quickie note today with a better comment on your beautiful garden and photography later. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED IF YOU GET A MAC, PERIOD! And get a really big screen too- YOU DESERVE THIS! Macs and artists just go together.
Secretly…I was hoping you would all tell me this!!!
oh trish… your peonies and office look amazing… i love that you dont follow the rules of what people tell you to plant… for years nurseries would not carry aspen trees here “as they dont do well in this area” but being from colorado… i hunted on… till one day i found 5 sitting off to the side at a nursery 1 hour from my home. i immediately paid for them, went home to get my friends pick up drove back, planted them and now they are 18′ tall in my backyard… never say never… would LOVE to see your garden..xx
What a wonderful harvest! The Peony is truly an aristocrat in the garden. I used to have a border similar to yours with Roses & Peonies and other perennials but that was up north, now in Georgia my Peonies are iffy… not enough chill hours. I’m enjoying yours, thanks for posting.
Drop in to see my garden.
Has to be the most absolutely glorious flower in the garden! Your photos are leaving me breathless. Just beautiful. Afraid to tell you that you will love working with Apple computers. Sorry. My husband made me a convert, and for blogging and design work I LOVE my Mac!
Where are you located? We are in Southeastern Massachusetts, and we live on a peony farm! Our peonies are budding and just starting to open. We pick anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 each year.
Hi Jackie. We are in Northern California. Not ideal for peonies…but I manage to get 50-100 blooms a year. I would be regular visited to Bliss Farm if I lived any closer. Anyone in Massachusetts? Here’s Jackie’s Peony farm info.
Oh my, Trish – your peonies! !!!! Ours are rather late this year due to constant rain….which is – on the other hand – highly welcome in our region. So, I enjoy even more your wonderful images!
And what a progress you’ve made in/with your office! In such a short time! And all between gardening, stone work and other things 🙂 🙂 🙂
All my best wishes for a wonderful and celebration week!
xxxkarin
Sigh… peonies are my favorite flower… I had them in my garden when I live in Massachusetts, but they do not do well in the Texas climate. Your are fabulous!
I love that wall color… it must be new because I cannot find it on the Sydney Harbor paints website. That particular color is very much like what I am wanting for one of my client’s home.
Hi Terri! The link to their neutral colors is here. They group colors by color family (you’ll see the other groups listed on the right column). I’ll show the colors I got when I do a follow up post on the walls.
Thanks so much Trish… what a great color palette to choose from. I am going to contact Leslie at Segreto and see what she can do with it…
Your peonies are stunning Trish, I especially love the photos taken of the cut flowers. What could be more luxurious than a bouquet of peonies?
The peonies look beautiful Trish! Love the lime wash on the wall too!
Hi Trish, I don’t usually ‘comment’ just a silent admirer but the peonies are just too beautiful!
Thank you! I’ll have to keep tossing peony photos out! Nice to “meet” you!
i would give almost anything to live in a climate where i could grow peonies.
what a gift to have them at your finger tips.
they are gorgeous!!!
happy sunday 🙂
Gorgeous as always, Trish! Your garden is stunning. Our peonies are about to open…
We used Old Stone Wall in our kitchen- a good neutral with character and I love it.
Hope this finds you healthy and happy!
Trish your peonies are stunning as always. Like you I’ve been spending every free moment outside working away in garden beds and loving it. Your plaster walls without the color are stunning, congratulations on the refurbishing.
I saw Wendy Lewis a week ago and she said to say hi!…HI!
XX
Debra~
Trish,
Congratulations on your bumper crop of peonies. You are clearly doing something right! They are beautiful.
Yikes, let me know. Hubby is all Apple at this point, but with my daily use of PC at work I’ve been reluctant to change and therefore taking on the challenge in learning a new system. Keep us posted.
Karen
I am so in awe of your peonie’s. I live in S. Florida and I don’t know if it is because of our soil or air temp but peonies don’t grow well here. Thank you for sharing your pictures at least I can enjoy the pictures vicariously through your photo’s.
I’m so jealous of your lovely peonies! They just come to my garden to die : ( Maybe it’s the brutal heat here in the valley, but I’m glad to see you’re having such great success. My parents live on the Peninsula, and I swear everything thrives in the climate down there. Sure do miss that Bay Area weather!
Sometimes I think an annual Spring trip to the SF Flower Mart would be more prudent…they prefer the cold mid-west.
Hi, Trish. . .
After 3 Dells, a HP, a Toshiba, and a Sony — and problems with all, I switched to an iMac and am learning how to use it pretty quickly. I love the screen and you cannot beat the beautiful design. So, I encourage you to take the plunge. You won’t be disappointed.
And thank you for another beautiful post.
All the best,
Rebecca
Thanks Rebecca. It does help to hear from someone who’s tried both sides. Don’t want to trade brawn for beauty ,,,though beauty always tempts me…and I love the all-in-ones!
Hi Trish
I am an Indiana Girl where Peonies grew along lot lines growing up. However I have lived on the Central Coast (Monterey County) ca for the last 35+ years. How do you grow Peonies here???
Lovely post…stunning peonies,,,go Apple…having only been Apple, I cannot imagine why there would ever be a question…you will be so happy you take the bite.. it is ever so sweet 😉
“apple is anything BUT the dark side”! remember where you heard it! You will NEVER go “back”! It is so interesting me to hear this….I think it was 1984 ( I am bragging) but; seriously…..you will love. let me know, please!
Penelope
Peonies…aren’t they gorgeous…and so wonderful to have in your own garden. How fortunate are you!
as always, a gorgeous post. your lime washed wall is exquisite. How did you get such a beautiful finish? I used a paint brush and it was too streaked. Fabulous peonies, I must plant some.
Deb
Two suggestions: an old wet washcloth and a spray bottle with a diffuse mist. I worked the washcloth in circles to break up any streaks. Will be doing rest of walls this week and will post more info later!
absolutely gorgeous! thank you
adore the peonies, such fabulous colors and images! I especially love the limewashed walls, they add so much character…
and no worries, take the plunge – you will never regret ditching that PC for a MAC!!
Always love to see what you’re up to and what’s growing your way. Your approach is so painterly. Always an inspiration. Spring came soon and hot here. Peonies are supposed to bloom in May. My were done in April. But wait….with all of the heat, they were up and running and then BAM! a sudden frost and once again buds blasted. I’m still dead heading the mess!
Cannot believe you are not already on the dark side. You with art exuding from fingertips were born to be a Mac girl. I’m old school. I started out with the 9″ Mac. Must be why I can’t read without glasses! And Nope, still haven’t uploaded pictures. Still, sigh, an old dog. Happy gardening among the beauties you have created.
Peonies only come from the flower mart here in S. CA-not cold enough to bloom here. Yours are beautiful + love your new office.
They are all so beautiful. Thank you for sharing–happy weeding. Mary
Beautiful peonies! Mine bloomed so long ago here.
Xox, Laura
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Absolutely stunning – they have always been my favourite flower, and your images are beautiful!
Paula x
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Peonies are my favourite flower – what beautiful photography! I just stumbled across your lovely blog. I look forward to popping back soon for some more inspiration!
♥
Melissah
Country Style Chic