In May/June the time has come and peonies are offered by florists and decorate vases here and there. What should you consider after buying or cutting your own peonies from the garden?
How do you keep peonies fresh in a vase?
For fresh peonies in a vase, cut the stems diagonally and place them in lukewarm water. Remove lower leaves and trim stems every 2-3 days. Change the water regularly and optionally add lemon juice. This way they last up to 10 days.
Farmer peonies are suitable for vase cutting
Only farmer's peonies are suitable as cut flowers. Other species quickly lose their fragrant petals after cutting. Cut off a maximum of a third of all flowers on a plant. Otherwise you will rob the peony of too much strength.
How do you cut them correctly and when?
You should keep the following points in mind when cutting the flowers for the vase:
- optimal time: when the buds feel soft and the flower color is visible
- are the buds still green - too early (wouldn't open)
- cut diagonally
- including a long handle
- only cut stable stems
- Leaves should be dark green
Just before putting it in the vase
After cutting or purchasing the peonies, the lower leaves should be removed and this is done:
- Shorten the stem by 5 cm - with a sharp knife
- Fill vase with lukewarm water
- Insert flowers
- Place the vase in a cool, bright location that is not exposed to drafts
What other flowers do peonies harmonize with?
Peonies look best on their own in a vase. You are also welcome to combine several colors together. If you want to combine them with other flowers in a bouquet, these varieties are the right choice:
- Freesias
- Gerbera
- Ranunculus
- Tulips
Care for cut flowers
Care should not be neglected for durability reasons. This includes shortening the stem every 2 to 3 days. To do this, take a knife and cut the stem diagonally. In addition, the water should be renewed regularly. You can also add a splash of lemon juice. With good care, the cut flowers last up to 10 days!
Tip
If some petals have already fallen off, you can take them, dry them and use them later for tea. They are edible.