Aside from being the predecessor to June – Summer, we salute you – the dawn of May also brings the arrival of our beloved beautiful Peonies. As many florists might say, it’s officially Peony season.
The enchanting flowers be found blooming in abundance from late spring into early summer, their many petals unfurling majestically – from a once tightly closed ball – in an array of distinctive colours.
![Floom Peony Fotm Pt](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-Pt.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=6e6a8dc895d14595096f018b6332903e 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-Pt.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=4584d201266cd19348d12d387ef067ab 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-Pt.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=c808f16ff3a5ab51eaae0fbf680cc546 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-Pt.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=913805de44967b7df43d3c2a07e634fd 400w)
The Peony takes its name from Paeon, a character from Greek mythology. Though he was scarcely mentioned in the great works of Greek literature, there are a couple of versions floating about that relate to the flower. One story has it that Paeon was a student of Asclepius – the god of medicine and healing – who was turned into a peony by Zeus in order to save him from Asclepius’ homicidal jealousy and the mortal death that would await him otherwise. Not sure what to make of that particular rescue, Zeus… Another, more gentle, version casts Paeon as the physician to the gods, who is gifted the flower on Mount Olympus by the mother of Apollo.
![Floom Peony Fotm Single Ls](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-single-ls.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=ab542e1931f0bc100670d9c46ba07318 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-single-ls.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=0bbdb6ad85beac8109ef246a74a1939b 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-single-ls.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=8079fc4ad101316f3ffa0c7066a3f2b0 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-single-ls.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=9b4cc38f3d5e846f0f37abe0cc8f019e 400w)
There are said to be 33 known species of the flower, and the stem itself has since become the traditional floral symbol of China, and more universally associated with wealth and honour. Whether it’s for their mythological connotations, their romantic colour ways, their symbolism, or simply due to their short blooming season (that makes them so sought after) – the Peony is a strong favourite for spring brides and English summer weddings. And while 12 years of marriage are traditionally honoured as the ‘Peony’ anniversary, a bouquet of Peonies are said to represent a happy life, good health and prosperity – seriously, what more could you ask for when embarking on your new journey with your partner? We’ll be popping a bouquet of big blooming peonies on the mantelpiece and hoping for the same treatment…
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![Floom Peony Fotm Pink Pt](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-pink-Pt.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=fe1c9fe1a153ce5f89ecc4c6c5dd991a 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-pink-Pt.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=e29c0720e248389d0383730b389d80bc 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-pink-Pt.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=c244dbfcfdf0a1f827074cc8e04688ac 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-pink-Pt.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=91a00737f27af5dadd50db69025dc503 400w)
![Floom Peony Fotm Pink Ls](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-pink-ls_190515_125909.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=f0297153ccf3164e4f18d65e7dd0a1c6 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-pink-ls_190515_125909.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=524efcf063fa7fe773c3b8e3bdd5be38 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-pink-ls_190515_125909.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=b0eef88f87a86699b98ed9365033d080 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-peony-fotm-pink-ls_190515_125909.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=5d49f502222b005c7ff08c93a1632cac 400w)