2017 Intersectional Peony Centers - Can You Guess???

If you haven't noticed the centers of your intersectional blossoms before, then you are definitely missing out! These beautiful blossoms are more than just a bunch of colorful petals. The centers are full of an abundance of goodness. Even though these peony parts are mostly useless for hybridizing, they possess a curious, intimate, almost other worldly center in miniature. My imagination sometimes finds myself wondering what small sprites could inhabit the stately, castle-like stigmas. The tips of the stigma "castles" come in bright hues of fuchsia lavender, lipstick red, baby pink, golden yellow, and ivory white. The petals are decorated by contrasting colored flares in reds, burgundies, whites, and shades of purple. The golden yellow crown of stamens stand guard around the castle. I have purposefully left the names off of these flowers to see if you already know the names of these intersectional peonies by looking at their centers. If you'd like to guess, you can leave a comment below or here on Facebook. I will reveal the answers to the flowers' identities next week! ;-)
Intersectional Peony 'Bartzella'

Intersectional Peony 'Scarlet Heaven'

Intersectional Peony 'Cora Louise'

Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Amethyst'

Intersectional Peony 'Takara' 慈悲 (Treasure) - Smith Opus 2

Intersectional Peony 'Sequestered Sunshine'

2016 Intersectional Peony Buds

If intersectional peonies are a favorite flower of yours like they are mine, then I hope you've noticed the beautiful flower buds they produce before the blooms actually open. It is so exciting to watch those tiny buds appear out of almost nowhere and grow and grow, and then swell and swell, until you finally see the first color appear when those swollen buds just begin to reveal their colorful petals beneath. In shades of yellows, pinks, lavenders, reds, and corals. What a beautiful rainbow of anticipation! I know it is only just winter, but spring will be here before you know it. If you blink you might miss these gorgeous intersectional peony buds since they usually will not even last more than a day, sometimes only a few hours! So keep an eye out for the growing buds and check your peonies daily to get a glimpse of these colorful beauties!

Intersectional Peony 'Morning Lilac' Bud	Intersectional Peony 'Hillary' Bud
Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Amethyst' Bud	Intersectional Peony 'Pastel Splendor' Bud
Intersectional Peony 'Keiko' Bud	Intersectional Peony 'Sonoma Velvet Ruby' Bud
Intersectional Peony 'Copper Kettle' Bud	Intersectional Peony 'Lafayette Escadrille' Bud
Intersectional Peony 'Lil' Darlin' Bud

2016 Herbaceous Peony Buds

If you aren't dreaming about spring yet, I thought I'd share with you a few bud pictures from my 2016 peony bloom season this year. It seems like the beauty of peony buds goes largely unnoticed. However, they are quite beautiful, and there is much to appreciate in them. I enjoy seeing the different shapes and sizes of the peony buds, as well as all of the different colored petals peeking out! Some herbaceous peony buds have a nice pointed tip, while others are rounded balls of petals just waiting to unfurl! If you haven't paused to notice the beauty to be found before the bloom, be sure to take a peek at everything your peony plants have to offer this year! And don't forget to stop and smell the peonies! :-)

Peony 'Lavender' Bud	Peony 'Rose Garland' Bud
Peony 'Coral Charm' Bud	Peony 'Lovely Rose' Bud
Peony 'Red Charm' Bud	Peony 'Paula Fay' Bud