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Thursday 11 July 2019

Fleeting blooms

Peony blooming time is here and the plants in the front garden are at their prime. These few days every summer have my favourite blooms of the year.


Over the years, I have added new varieties to the mix and some are beginning to produce blooms now, 





though they are small this year.





One of the new plants produces a bloom which is white between rows of pale pink petals.





The bloom is beautiful when it first opens but over a few days it stretches open to reveal three distinct layers of beauty.





Other blooms are from the first plants we purchased eight years ago and are well established now. My favourite is the white peonies with the touch of rose.





The individual blooms are the size of dinner plates and last the longest of all the blooms.




Despite my efforts to cage and tie them up, some blooms insist on falling over into other plants but I like that effect too. For me, peonies can do no wrong.





Ants are enjoying the buds again.





They show up every year like clock work, just in time for the nectar produced by the peony buds. They must write it on the calendar from year to year.

It’s time now too for the high winds which are detrimental to the soft blooms of the peonies. Every year they blow the petals from the flowers. Until that time, you know where I will be with my camera.





21 comments:

DJan said...

They are so beautiful, Marie. I love the white ones, but the while with pale pink outer leaves are so wonderful and would be my favorite. I love them all, though. Thank you! :-)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I love peonies too and these are real beauties!

Ruth Hiebert said...

These are gorgeous. I love those extravagant blooms of the Peonies. Have you ever tried drying them. I did once and they turned out beautifully.

Secondary Roads said...

Here in west Michigan, our peonies have lost their blossoms. We enjoyed them while they lasted. Now it's the rich yellow of stella d'oro lilies, yucca and hostas. We allow a few milk weeds to grow for the monarchs, and they are will begin to blossom today or tomorrow.

Angela said...

Oh Marie, I love Peonies! The very pale pink ones like you have and the white ones are my favorites! However I enjoy all of them. Hydrangeas are also on my favorite list. Ours are all gone already! :(

Linda said...

Gorgeous Marie. Enjoy every bloomin' moment.

Debbie said...

these are really gorgeous marie, i love peonies too and these colors are exceptional. but oh those ants, ants and peonies go together like salt and pepper!!! i enjoy cutting them to bring in the house but as you said, they are always loaded with bugs!!!

Rhodesia said...

Beautiful. Our peonies were over ages ago we are obviously way ahead of you. Happy weekend, Diane

Laurel Wood said...

Absolutely gorgeous. One of my late mom's favorites!

Bill said...

They are gorgeous, Marie. Enjoy them and thanks for sharing so we can enjoy them too. :)
Happy weekend to you!

William Kendall said...

Beautiful shots!

Elephant's Child said...

Beautiful, beautiful things. And a plant which I have not yet succeeded in bringing to bloom.

Joanne Noragon said...

How well I remember the teams of ants, working the blossom buds!

baili said...

STUNNING flowers dear Marie
i absolutely LOVED them

i don' think i have them around but can't say if they grow northern parts

so unique and so beautiful

gloriously shared
dinner plate size sounds cool

i too loved the white ones more

Anvilcloud said...

You have quite an assortment. I think they are all done in these parts.

Retired Knitter said...

They really are beautiful flowers!!

Natalia said...

They are spectacular, lobe especially those pink ones☺

Tomoko said...

Oh..beasutiful peonies in your garden!
Always love to capture the first blooms.

John's Island said...

Hi Marie, Your peonies are beautiful! And the photos are excellent. It is really hard to pick out a favorite here. I especially like your mention of the three distinct layers of beauty and that fourth photo shows that so clearly. Then, 3rd from last, the red one ... beautiful. Thanks for sharing Marie! John

photowannabe said...

I think they are simply gorgeous.
I wish we had some in our yard. Enjoy...

Barbara said...

I love peonies. Yours are just beautiful. I miss having a yard with beautiful bushes.