peony

Just underneath flamed a tangle of peonies in bloom, leaning down to the calm blue waters.

In the middle stood a little frame containing relics; at the corners were two little orange-trees, and all along the edge were silver candlesticks, porcelain vases containing sun-flowers, lilies, peonies, and tufts of hydrangeas.

There were rosy bleeding-hearts and great splendid crimson peonies; white, fragrant narcissi and thorny, sweet Scotch roses; pink and blue and white columbines and lilac-tinted Bouncing Bets; clumps of southernwood and ribbon grass and mint; purple Adam-and-Eve, daffodils, and masses of sweet clover white with its delicate, fragrant, feathery sprays; scarlet lightning that shot its fiery lances over prim white musk-flowers; a garden it was where sunshine lingered and bees hummed, and winds, beguiled into loitering, purred and rustled.

There stood fine hyacinths under glass bells, and there stood strong-stemmed peonies; there grew water plants, some so fresh, others half sick, the water-snakes lay down on them, and black crabs pinched their stalks.

When that time came, and when, before it was over, the acacias all blossomed too, and four great clumps of pale, silvery-pink peonies flowered under the south windows, I felt so absolutely happy, and blest, and thankful, and grateful, that I really cannot describe it.

FEW plants can rival peonies for their flowers - and you should find they are hitting their peak just now.

Azaleas and peonies are top of Agnes Stevenson's wishlist as she retuns to Ingliston's Royal Highland Showground for the country's top horticultural event The pile of carrier bags stuffed into a sack in the garage are not just there because I don't know what to do with them.

Herbaceous peonies are a common sight in many gardens and are some of the most beautiful flowers you will find, says Ken Johnson, a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

Peonies are back in season, and the pretty bloom much loved by Kardashians and flower fans the world is back on our shelves again.

Hi Diarmuid, I moved my peonies from a bed to a pot two years ago and I've had no flowers since, just a lot of foliage.

PEONIES are the epitome of blousy English gardening.

The most commonly planted peonies are the herbaceous varieties, with beautiful bowl-shaped silky flowers, which die down over winter and then you see their fat red buds poking through the soil in spring.