There are few flowers that stop people in their tracks quite like a peony. Blowsy, fragrant and ridiculously photogenic, the peony has earned its place as one of the most beloved flowers in the world and once you know a little more about them, it is easy to understand why.
Why peonies are so popular
Peonies have a quality that is hard to put into words. They are generous flowers. Full, layered and abundant in a way that feels almost extravagant. A single stem can hold dozens of petals, and when a peony opens fully it is genuinely breath-taking.
They are also brilliantly versatile. A handful of peonies in a simple glass vase looks just as beautiful as an elaborate floral arrangement. They work for weddings, for kitchen tables, for grand gestures and quiet thank-you alike.
Add to that their fleeting season, peonies are typically available from late spring into early summer and you have a flower that people genuinely look forward to. There is something special about a bloom you cannot have all year round.
The different types of peony
Single peonies: One row of petals around a central cluster of golden stamens. Elegant and simple, and pollinators love them.
Japanese peonies: Sit between single and double forms. The outer petals are broad and the centre is filled with narrow, modified stamens called staminodes, giving them a distinctly airy, exotic look.
Anemone peonies: Similar to Japanese types but with a denser, more cushioned centre. They have a refined, structured quality that works beautifully in arrangements.
Semi-double peonies: Two or more rows of petals with visible stamens at the centre. They feel natural and romantic without being overly full.
Double peonies: What most people picture when they think of a peony -- densely packed petals, a rounded form and an almost impossibly lush appearance. These are the showstoppers.
Bomb peonies: A type of double peony where the inner petals are tightly massed and ruffled, creating a globe-like shape that gives them their name.
If you love a full, dramatic bloom, our Coral Peony Letterbox Flowers are a beautiful example of the peony at its most striking, arriving through your letterbox in bud and opening over three to five days.
What do peonies mean?
Peonies have rich symbolic meaning across different cultures, and almost all of it is positive.
In the language of flowers, the peony represents romance, prosperity, good fortune and a happy marriage. It is one of the reasons peonies are such a popular choice for weddings.
In Chinese culture, the peony is known as the "king of flowers" and has been a symbol of wealth, honour and feminine beauty for over a thousand years. It features heavily in traditional Chinese art, embroidery and ceramics.
In Western tradition, peonies are also associated with healing. The flower takes its name from Paeon, a physician to the Greek gods, who was said to have used the plant medicinally.
Pink peonies traditionally symbolise romance and admiration. White peonies represent purity and new beginnings. Coral and red peonies carry associations with passion and desire -- making our Coral Peony Letterbox Flowers a particularly meaningful gift.
Where are peonies grown?
Peonies are native to Asia, Southern Europe and Western North America, with the vast majority of species originating in China. China remains one of the world's largest producers of peonies, growing both herbaceous and tree varieties on a huge scale.
The Netherlands is the global hub for cut peony production and export, supplying florists across Europe and beyond. Dutch growers have been cultivating and hybridising peonies for centuries, developing many of the varieties we know and love today.
In the UK, peony growing has grown significantly in recent years. British-grown peonies are highly sought after for their freshness and quality, and their season. Typically running from May to July, has become one of the highlights of the British flower-growing calendar.
Interesting facts about peonies
- Peonies can live for over 100 years. A well-established plant, left undisturbed in good soil, will keep producing flowers year after year for generations.
- They do not like to be moved. Peonies can sulk for a year or two after being transplanted, producing no flowers at all before settling back in.
- Ants are often seen crawling over peony buds. This is completely harmless, the ants are attracted to a sweet nectar the buds produce, and have no negative effect on the flower.
- The fragrance of a peony varies enormously by variety. Some have a rich, rose-like scent; others are lightly sweet or almost unscented.
- A single peony stem can weigh up to 100g when fully open. That lushness is part of what makes them so special.
Send peonies through the post
You do not need to wait for peony season to visit a florist. Our Coral Peony Letterbox Flowers are designed to arrive safely through the post, tucked in bud and ready to bloom. Each box contains 12 stems, five coral peonies, sea lavender and thlaspi and the whole arrangement opens beautifully over three to five days.
It is one of our favourite ways to send flowers, because the recipient gets to watch it happen.