Peony is the flower queen on Instagram, the hashtag #peonies has been used 2.8 million times.
They're also a limited edition flower, growing and blooming in a very short space of time each year, which makes them all the more special.
We love how Peonies can go from tight, spherical shaped buds to lush, fluffy flowers that don't need support from any other blooms to look good in a bouquet.
They're the Cinderella of the flower world going from drab to fab but they don't lose their fanciness at midnight.
Want to know more about these stunning flowers?
We've rounded up few fact about peonies:
The name Peony
The word Peony is derived from the Greek word Paeon.
Paeon was the physician of the Greek gods, under the apprenticeship of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine.
During their lessons, Ascelpius became enraged and highly jealous of Paeon’s talents.
In order to save Paeon from his mentor’s envious wrath, Zeus transformed Paeon into a Peony flower.
Peonies in history
Peonies are native to Europe, Asia and Western North America.
Early in Chinese history, the peony was considered the national flower (it is now officially the plum blossom).
Members of the Tang Dynasty of China began breeding peonies in the imperial courts in the 7th century BCE.
Their popularity spread to Japan in the early 11th century and to France and England in the 18th century.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, peonies began taking off in popularity in the U.S. as well and became Indiana state flowers.
Peonies Herbal Remedies
Peonies have been used for herbal remedies across Asia and Europe for thousands of years.
In fact, the roots and seeds of peonies have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat headaches, asthma, convulsions, liver disease, and several more ailments.
Peonies Flowers Meaning
Brides love Peony for their beauty and fragrances and also for their symbolism.
Peonies represent romance and love, and are considered a good omen for a happy marriage.
Peonies are also the traditional flower for 12th wedding anniversaries.
Interestingly, the flowers represented shame and shyness during in the Victorian Era.
In China and Japan, peonies stand for strong and positive virtues such as bravery, honor, respect, nobility, good fortune, and prosperity.
Peonies flowers are edible
In China, the petals are parboiled and sweetened for use as a tea-time delicacy, in summer salads, or as garnish for punches and lemonades.
Peonies Tattoo
The peony for many centuries has been one of the most popular floral symbols used in tattoos.
For instance, in Japanese and Chinese body art you’ll often find an interplay between powerful animals and mythical beasts (such as lions and dragons) with delicate floral components.
The peony is one of the most popular floral symbols representing the intersection between power and delicate beauty.
Peony flowers open up to three times their original size
Cut Peonies when arrive to a florist are tight, golf ball sized buds but these quickly unfurl to reveal the gorge puffy blooms you know and love.
Each petal loosens up so the flower can open up in all its glory.
