Gorgeous, fluffy peonies are back in season for a good time, not a long time. These immensely popular flowers only bloom between late April and early June – so if you’re getting some for your home, you want to take care of them. Elise Harlock of Prestige Flowers has shared her top tips for ensuring these beautiful blooms stay looking fresh for as long as possible.
Her first tip is to make sure you have them in the right location in your home. Peonies don’t like a draft or bright direct sunlight so choosing the perfect location is important in ensuring their longevity. Elise said: “When you’re styling peonies around the home be mindful that their position will determine how long they last.
“A bright, sunny windowsill will cause them to wilt quicker, so I would advise keeping them in the middle of a dining table or on a side table. This will ensure they are away from any big fluctuations in temperature but can still be admired.”
Once you’ve found the perfect place to display them, the next thing you need to be aware of is how fresh the water in your vase is.
Elise said: “When you have chosen your vase, give it a good clean to remove any dust or debris. Then fill it two thirds of the way up with fresh, lukewarm water.
“Aim to clean and refill your vase every two to three days to keep bacteria at bay.”
When you bring your peonies home, they will often be in bud – so be careful.
Elise said: “I would advise cutting around 3cm to 5cm from the bottom of each stem to freshen the ends up before arranging them in your vase.
“Cut at a 45 degree angle so the bottom of the stems aren’t lying flat at the bottom of the vase and they can drink the water more effectively.
“If any leaves are below the water line make sure you remove them completely to stop any bacteria from building up.”