A peony bouquet for our grandmother would have almost been taken for granted for a mid-May to June wedding, so cherished were these outstanding blooms. With only a six-week growing season, they were indeed prized. Birthday bouquets and anniversary arrangements of peonies were also popular, not to mention carrying armloads of cut flowers into the house from one's own outdoor displays.

Now that peonies are once again delightfully "front and center" in the public's eye, a peony bouquet and a peony centerpiece in a wedding are an elegant and feminine choice. Of the commercial varieties popular for weddings, the sweet fragrances of the white Festiva Maxima and pink Sarah Bernhardt or the strong fragrance of the white Duchesse de Nemours are noticed and appreciated. However, there are many peonies from which a bride can choose, including red, yellow or multi-hued peonies for accents.

Ants love the sugary sap on peony buds and they do not harm the plant. Ants then move on to other food sources but if any remain after peonies have bloomed, they can usually be removed by shaking the peonies gently outdoors. A florist may submerge the peonies in water for a short time, causing any dawdling ants to float to the surface of the container.

Preserving a Peony Bouquet

A peony bouquet can last for years, making a wonderful keepsake for a bride or other members of the wedding party. Patented processes exist for spectacular results. Some establishments have the expensive equipment to freeze-dry flowers. Others dry them the old-fashioned way by hanging them upside down, if they are buds or double peonies. Single peonies are dried using what is called the "surround and cover" method.