For the Love of Peonies
Growing Peonies isn’t the Only Way to Enjoy Them
Enjoying the Peony
Why get dirty? Other options available…
Wedding Bouquet
Many activities surround the growing of peonies, but for those that are not enthusiastic about working in the soil, there are plenty of other opportunities. Many of these activities are geared toward the artist, although some technical skill is helpful. Creating a peony past time is a great way to become involved with this outstanding plant group.
Flower exhibition, floral arrangement and photography are just a few of the great alternative ways to enjoy peonies. These increasingly popular activities are inexpensive and can satiate the peony appetite!
Peony Dress
Household Bouquet
American Peony Society Peony Registry
The American Peony Society's Instagram Page
Exhibiting Peonies
A Competition Using Flowers
Exhibiting peonies at an APS convention is an activity that all types of people enjoy. Whether you are commercial grower, professional or novice gardener or simply have a peony growing in your yard, peony exhibition may fill a need. Competitive exhibition is a great place to learn about the flowers themselves and experience the comradery of other enthusiasts. Each year APS members from around the United States and Canada attend the annual convention and exhibition to show their wares. The beauty of a mass exhibition is breathtaking, but the real joy is the journey of preparing the flowers. Other exhibitions may be available locally through clubs and these are another great way to express the inner artist.
Additional Resources
Art of Using Peony Flowers
Creating Beautiful Arrangements Using Peony Flowers
Floral Design is becoming popular again, after a long lull of inactivity. Arrangements take on a myriad of forms and have many uses. Peonies are popular for use in weddings, household bouquets and social gatherings. The peony is particularly suitable for floral design use due to its large elegant flowers-plus they are often fragrant!
For those that enjoy competition, the APS offers a division for floral design arrangement during the annual Flower Show and Exhibition. Much like the regular exhibition, competitors are welcoming and willing to guide. Most floral designs at the competition are composed of excess peony blooms from exhibitors in the flower show, making for a great supply of gorgeous components to work with.
Floral Design at Exhibition
Floral Design Arrangement
Floral Design Arrangement
Additional Resources
Fact: Most floral designs entered at the Annual Exhibition are composed of unused flowers from the Flower Show.
Photographing Peony Flowers
Producing Beautiful and Accurate Images of Peony Flowers
Photography of peonies is becoming a popular activity due to the expansion of social media. Most everyone has access to a good camera through the use of a smart phone or other digital device. These devices are able to capture outstanding images, but there are some techniques that will produce superior pictures. Taking a superior image and posting it for the world to view generates a great deal of enthusiasm and can lead to many opportunities (photo contests, business printing, web design, wedding photos, etc…). A growing number of APS members are pursuing this fun and fulfilling activity.
Search for the Best Shot of Paeonia delavayi
It’s About Perspective
