An overhead of Peony Requiem

Peony ‘Requiem’

Features

  • Fragrant
  • Pollinator-friendly

Description

A top favorite and one of the first varieties to flower. Plants are very productive and have shiny green foliage. Blooms are an icy rose with a lavender undertone and open to reveal a super-dense, pillowy yellow center kissed with cranberry. The centers of these flowers remind me of a chrysanthemum or an underwater sea creature. Pollen tips darken with age, giving the flowers extra dimension. Bees love this variety and it has a sweet scent like spearmint candy.

Details

Height: 30 to 36 in
Type: single
Bloom time: mid
Site: full sun

Harvesting/Vase Life

For the best vase life, harvest peonies while in bud or “soft marshmallow” stage. Gently squeeze each flower bud, feeling for sponginess. If buds are still hard, then leave them to ripen longer, but if they feel soft—similar to a marshmallow—pick them. When harvesting, be sure to leave at least 2 sets of leaves on the stem so that the plant can continue to grow and store food over the summer.

Cut stems can also be stored for later use; they will last for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. When storing, remove almost all of the leaves; bunch the stems together, and slip them into a plastic bag with a few paper towels inside to absorb any excess moisture. Lay them flat on the shelf in the produce area of the fridge and then check every few days for signs of mold. Discard any that begin to rot. Upon removal, the flowers often look limp but don’t worry. Recut the stems and place them immediately in warm water with flower preservative. The buds will open within 24 hours, and the blooms will last a good week in the vase.

Details

Description

A top favorite and one of the first varieties to flower. Plants are very productive and have shiny green foliage. Blooms are an icy rose with a lavender undertone and open to reveal a super-dense, pillowy yellow center kissed with cranberry. The centers of these flowers remind me of a chrysanthemum or an underwater sea creature. Pollen tips darken with age, giving the flowers extra dimension. Bees love this variety and it has a sweet scent like spearmint candy.

Details

Height: 30 to 36 in
Type: single
Bloom time: mid
Site: full sun

Harvesting/Vase Life

For the best vase life, harvest peonies while in bud or “soft marshmallow” stage. Gently squeeze each flower bud, feeling for sponginess. If buds are still hard, then leave them to ripen longer, but if they feel soft—similar to a marshmallow—pick them. When harvesting, be sure to leave at least 2 sets of leaves on the stem so that the plant can continue to grow and store food over the summer.

Cut stems can also be stored for later use; they will last for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. When storing, remove almost all of the leaves; bunch the stems together, and slip them into a plastic bag with a few paper towels inside to absorb any excess moisture. Lay them flat on the shelf in the produce area of the fridge and then check every few days for signs of mold. Discard any that begin to rot. Upon removal, the flowers often look limp but don’t worry. Recut the stems and place them immediately in warm water with flower preservative. The buds will open within 24 hours, and the blooms will last a good week in the vase.

Sources

How to Grow

Winter Mini Course

Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series

In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.