Peony me this
"why does something so beautiful always fall down"
One of my favorite plants to make bouquets with is the tree peony, or Paeonia suffruticosa. At the farm they lined the stone steps the led up to the front yard. There were at least twelve plants that had taken over and filled the steep incline with large, heavy pink blossoms in late spring. Each blossom acts like a large bowl that holds rain drops and makes them heavy. Most times, the large blooms will become too heavy for their stems and bend over so their flowers face the ground. Why would nature design something so beautiful to be too heavy for its support system, creating a situation that keeps the blooms out of sight from most? I’ve learned that if you plant peonies in full sun it will make their stems stronger and give their blooms a stronger likelihood of being able to stand on their own, when they are planted in shade their stems are less able to hold the weight of their magnificent foliage.
I planted a peony tree in our front garden last year. I had neglected to divide the peonies at the farm before I left and I was missing their orchestral blooms which ushered in summer each year. I knew that it would take time for the plant to mature and at best I would have a glimpse of what I enjoyed for years over. This week I made my way out front to weed lightly and check on the plants I had placed there early this year and last fall. I paused at the light pink peony plant that was in full bloom with each of its flowers facing the ground. I knelt down and lifted one of the blooms. It was heavy and filled with large black ants. I imagined cutting the blossoms and filling a vase to place on the island in the house. I wondered how many ants I would displace and how I would feel seeing them spreading out in our kitchen sink. I let go of the heavy face and stood back. I always forget to support the plant when the shoots jut out from the ground after the last frost.
The peony was named for Paeon, the physician of the Greek Gods who could heal the worst of the worst wounds. It is a symbol for transformation, one form taking another, becoming more than it was previously. They have become a flower symbolizing romance and are often found in wedding bouquets, to bring about romance, happiness, and a healthy long marriage. When its stems are strong and sturdy the plant is more likely to be able to support its beautiful, heavy blooms even during strong winds. When they are weak, they bend to the weight of the blossoms and fall to the ground, letting go of any will to reach for the sun. The more sun they get, the better they bloom. I took another step back and took in the garden as a whole. Michael referenced plop and drop garden design once, I picked the phrase up with both of my hands and owned it. I don’t garden with an intent of what it will look like, I plant with wonder to see what I may create at whim moved by the moment and fueled by the desire to allow roots to take and see what they may be. I garden to grow, divide, and spread plants out among my entire yard. I made a note to consider moving the peony in the fall to the backyard where the sun is strong and ever present.
(I’ve been having a lot of coffee lately with people from all different walks of life and it’s been wonderful to listen to their stories, see life from their perspectives. If you’d like to join us or me, click the button above)
