HERBACEOUS PEONIES IN SMALL ARRANGEMENTS WITH A BIG IMPACT

This square 4-5" glass container proves to be a great container for arrangements. Using lupines and allium with the herbaceous peonies, it holds a dozen or so flowers.

Using two-toned lupine, white allium, and the beautiful rose-colored herbaceous peonies of "BOWL OF BEAUTY," "SARAH BERNHARDT" and "MONS JULES ELLE" make a long-lasting arrangement for the May-June months here in zone 6.

Florist's dry moss can be used for the sides of the glass container to hide the wet florist's foam that was used in the arrangement, which will last well over a week.

PEONIES--THE QUEEN'S OF THE SPRING GARDEN

There's nothing like a big bouquet of fragrant peonies in the spring! This 3-gallon tub is the perfect way to display the huge blooms of  6 different kinds of herbaceous peonies. The white allium and two-tone pink lupine finish the look. Peonies used are "SARAH BERHARDT," "PILLOW TALK," "MONS JULES ELE," "CELEBRITY," "EDULUS SUPERBA," and "BOWL OF BEAUTY."

I like using lupine and allium with these peony varieties. Cut peonies in bud stage, but also have a couple that are almost open for a good look from the first day. Allium will last up to three weeks in arrangements. Lupine should have half or more of the stalk in blooms when cutting.This arrangement will last up to two weeks if a floral preservative is used and it is kept out of direct sunlight. 

Peonies can be cut in a small bud stage, stripped of the leaves, wrapped in newspaper or damp paper towels, and kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or more until ready to use.  Plunge in warm water when ready to arrange. 

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS 2014--USING PEONIES, ROSES and LILIES

The last three weeks of floral arrangements include lovely spring peonies, first-of-the- season roses, Asiatic lilies and fillers of lupine, and allium.  As always, pick flowers after the sun has gone down, or before it comes up in the morning. Choose blooms that are in the bud stage, cutting the stem a 2nd time under water, then arranging with a floral preservative in the water. The first arrangement pictured sat outside in sunny conditions for an hour after the picture and you can see how the blooms have all opened up.

After an hour in a sunny area

White roses, yellow mum and asiatic lily

First hybrid tea roses of the season with peonies