A Return to Loveliness

Peonies

'Known in the orient as the flower of twenty days, the peony enjoys a deliciously brief moment of glory.'

'For most of spring, the flower's lush, fluffy pompoms are but a promise, until all of nature bursts into perfume and powdery pastels.'

'Then as suddenly as they arrived, the Peonies are gone again, lingering through the summer as a frilly memory.'

Tovah Martin

Victoria Magazine 1992

Tovah sang the praises of one of the most beautiful flowers that can be found in one's garden.

She said peonies were as 'ephemeral as fireflies'.('92)

'Flowers that make artists of us all' ('92)

In the 1996 issue of Victoria Magazine,

we are introduced to 

'The Garden that Celebrates a Single

Beloved Flower'

Tovah shared J. Watson Webb Jr.'s garden in Burlington, Vermont. 

Here one could find a full acre devoted to this feathery bundle of petals in every hue.

Webb's home is surrounded by these

amazing blooms and his enthusiastic garden

cascades along to Lake Champlain near his home.

Webb estimated that he had 2003

Peonies planted in his garden.

"you should see them at twilight

with petals silhouetted against the 

northern sunset", he said.

In the 2003 issue of Victoria Magazine

Tovah once again shared a family estate

with 'its labyrinth of thick walls and arched doorways beckoning into sequestered gardens". 

Linwood gardens are famed for their

tree Peonies and for hybridizers like

Nassos Daphnis who worked with owner Lee Gratwick's father to create tree Peony specimens such as 'Leda' and 'Gauguin'.

According to Gratwick, the most reliable way to propagate tree peonies is to graft

cuttings into the roots of herbaceous peonies. The cuttings will then form their own roots.

"I am sure the Rose is jealous"

Alice Morse Earle

Peonies hold a dear place in our hearts -

the anticipation of their arrival brings us into our gardens on a daily basis - the unfolding of their voluminous blooms brings

joy to our hearts.

Yes, their presence is fleeting, but their memory
will linger andbring a smile to our faces -

until the next spring.

Thank you for your visit, I hope you've enjoyed my tribute to Spring's fleeting guest, the Peony.

Wishing you a very Delightsome day,