The Beautiful And Fragrant Peony

The arrival of peony flowers in a garden is a glorious sight. Bold, colourful and deliciously fragrant, they are truly beautiful. Peonies represent romance and love and are considered a good omen to a happy life. It is the traditional flower for a 12th wedding anniversary.

The Peony derived its name from Paeon, the physician to the Greek gods. Paeon was an apprentice to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing. Paeon discovered a root that could ease the pain of childbirth. Jealous that all expectant mothers were going to Paeon for medical help rather than himself, Aeslepius vowed to kill Paeon. To save him from Asclepius, Zeus turned Paeon into a Peony flower.

The Peony has been around for over 4,000 years. They were first seen in the Eastern part of the world and were spread across the globe by different rulers as they moved their courts to other regions. The plant arrived in Asia around 700 A.D. The Peony was appreciated by different cultures for its beauty and medical properties. In Europe and Asia, different parts of the peonies were thought to have curative abilities ranging from stomach pains, night tremors, blood clots, headaches, asthma, liver disease, and convulsions.

Christians in the Middle Ages believed the Peony to be a symbol of wealth, beauty, and health. The root and seeds were used in herbal teas and medicines, Hybrids of the plant were created which can now be seen in our gardens.

The Netherlands is the largest cut Peony producer, but Alaska is also growing Peonies. Its cooler growing season produces larger blooms. The most commonly grown variety is Sarah Bernhardt which has soft pink double blooms.

It is amazing to think that a Peony plant can live for 100 years Long live the Peony.

Photography - Jackson Swaby