flowers the size of melons

[solarbird]

We have a lot of these growing outside by the north path. They're huge! Apparently, they're called peonies. They don't smell as nice as roses do, but then, what does? But I like them anyway, even if they feel kind of like they're way too easy. They just show up out of the ground! It's like cheating!

Still, I want to get more roses planted here. What do peonies know of struggle? NOTHING! Give me cranky, irritable, thorny plants like roses, plants whose respect you have to earn.

"Name a shrub after me. Something prickly, and hard to eradicate."

Still, it's awfully pretty. We'll have flowers for the bud vases this year. ^_^

Comments

[poetry-lady.livejournal.com]

Actually, peonies are kind of touchy, no thorns, true, but you need to make sure the tuber or whatever it is is happy.

Mine actually are quite fragrant, more fragrant than any roses I've encountered. And two of mine are hot pink/fuschia, which is cool.

Nice find in the yard--those are NOT cheap.

[kathrynt.livejournal.com]

Oh I LOVE peonies. And when you plant them, they often sulk for years -- or decades! -- so having flowering ones is a real sign of history, many times. Treasure them.

[janne.livejournal.com]

Pretty!

[starsongky.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous! I've added this to my wallpaper/screensaver rotation at home.

[solarbird]

If there's any chance it goes any further, please add (C) my name at the bottom in low-contrast text. It doesn't have to stand out, I'd just like it there and visible if you're looking for it. Thanks.

[starsongky.livejournal.com]

It's saved on my local hard drive at home. I don't plan on taking it anywhere, but I'll add the note as soon as I get a chance.

[mamishka.livejournal.com]

*grin* I hate struggle. Guess I better raise peonies! I am hoping to plant some dahlias though. I like dahlias alot! So many varieties!

[solarbird]

Plant 'em right now - this is the week! At least, if you're growing from tuber. (They tend not to overwinter here.)

I found out about this because I bought one a few months ago at the garden show and they said when to plant it. ^_^

[jessicac.livejournal.com]

I've had great luck with dahlias over-wintering here. If it looks like a cold winter you can add some mulch and most varieties are sturdy enough to do just fine. If you've paid a lot for a fancy variety, though, I can see not wanting to take any chances.

[solarbird]

Really? Huh. That's just what the guy selling me the dahlia said. I didn't pay a lot - it was $4? Maybe $5? at the garden show. But I liked the picture of the flowers it's supposed to send up. Maybe it'll make it! That'd be nice. ^_^

[jessicac.livejournal.com]

We need to get together to plan your garden! What are your plans during the day this Saturday?

[mamishka.livejournal.com]

I don't know yet. I most likely will be working box office for SIFF, but I won't have my schedule until Wednesday. I should be free Sunday during the day though.

[kyriani.livejournal.com]

Wow very pretty, the petals even have some variation and detail. I would take those in a garden any day. ^_^

[solarbird]

Hee. Maybe I should start flower-a-day posts. This same plant has stripy blossoms which are just opening, too.

[gerimaple.livejournal.com]

yes, please :) yay flowers!

[cafiorello.livejournal.com]

Oh, and a hint--don't try to get rid of the ants that live on the plants. They are necessary for the peonies to survive!
Cathy

[solarbird]

To survive? Huh. Okay.

I've never used any insecticides in my garden anyway, so I still won't. ^_^

(Except for DEATH TO ALL HORNETS, which is different in that I'm spraying a nest on a house, not plants in the garden. ^_^ )

peones

[kvogel.livejournal.com]

They can be tough too. Early on here, a portion of the yard got a working over, chopping through mystery roots, and such. Two years later, the peones returned as though nothing happened (so that's what those were). And they come back every year since. No special care or nothing.
A big healthy infestation implies an old/ancient root that ought to be respected, or a major struggle if you are so mad to attempt to remove it. On the other hand, it will be all gone in a month and you can co-plant a later season flower in the same general area.

Re: peones

[solarbird]

Oh, I've no plans to get rid of it. It'd be a terrible place for roses, and like I said - yay, flowers for the bud vases! It was just like, "Wow, I had to do nothing whatsoever for this!"

Moving in here is very strange. Things already already work there's this big swath of landscaping I didn't have to put in or salvage or anything. It's like it's too easy, and something evil must be waiting. ^_^

[lothie.livejournal.com]

Peonies are considered a "luxury flower" and are very expensive per stem from florists. Me, they drive crazy; we had 'em in our yard when I was a kid, and they were always full of ants.

[sarakate.livejournal.com]

Mmm, I love peonies. The Arboretum (big park thing) in Ann Arbor has a whole garden full of them, and they're gorgeous. They featured prominently in the "Day of P" one of my roommates and I once had -- we were just messing about, and realized that practically everything we'd been doing or talking about began with P in some manner, and so we capped it off by having a Picnic in the Park -- with Poultry (okay, fried chicken, but that didn't fit), Potato salad and Pickles, on Paper Plates, with Pink lemonade -- in, of course, the Peony garden. It was a good day. :)