Peony: Paeonia Lactiflora, A Bowl Of Beauty

in #gardening6 years ago (edited)

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Peonies are a staple heirloom flower in my garden.

I have taken a series of photographs to show you what this herbaceous perennial looks like as it begins to entertain us with its blooming potential.

As this plant is a perennial, it means that in the part of Canada (where I reside) this plant goes dormant for 6 months of the year. It dies completely off in the Fall, gets buried by snow for the Winter and emerges in the late Spring so that it can flower by early Summer.

I want you to be able to see what I see as I tend to my plants.

This first photo, I took was in “portrait mode”.

Notice that the background is softer and the flower is bathed in late day, light as the sun was thinking about setting in the west.

A few days earlier and this large, showy flower was but a mere tightly compact bud...not much of anything really to grab your attention.

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Some people think that ants play a role in helping these flowers to fully open. They peony buds produce a nectar that ants like but the peonies will open with or without the help of ants.

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Here’s the progression of the blooming over 3 days:

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I took some photos in the early morning light and some photos late in the day.

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There are over 6500 different varieties of peonies.

Some are more like plants and some are quite woody and are more like a shrub.

Then, there are hybrids, (which are known as ITOH or intersectional peonies.)

The ITOH peonies are a healthy cross between a tree and plant peony and I think these look more like wild roses.

The plant-style peonies can generally grow 3 to 4 feet tall.

The shrub varieties are more commonly known as Tree Peonies. They are originally native to China, can be referred to as mountain peonies and can grow 7 feet tall.

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This one is a plant-style peony and it’s common name is: Bowl of Beauty.

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The flowers present as a bowl of petals which hold interesting details, once you gaze inside.

Exploring its internal components, you can see the plants’ stamen which hold pollen and its seed-containing carpels.

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Medicinal uses of peony include the treatment of:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Gout
  • and Muscle Spasm

I give you: Bowl of Beauty.

All photos were taken with an Apple 8+ cell phone.

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I welcome your comments and I invite you to follow me on my journey...no plant leaf will be left unexplored.

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~ Rebecca

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@rebeccaryan
I know that you have spent a lot of time to be able to show this to us.
The time is worth it if someone gets true enjoyment of your finished work.
You have done a fantastic job for us.
I appreciate it a lot. It is very pretty to look at and you give us all the detail and more than we will ever need.
Plus the medicinal properties that you have added for us as well.
Thank you for all that you do for us.
I hope that you are well rewarded for your efforts.

Francis

Very nice and beautiful flowers

The beauty of flower can make men's inner level beauty...nice.....beautiful Paeonia Lactiflora!

wow!
what a nice flower💜💜

Peonies do NOT like to be transplanted. Try not to move them around too much because it can take several years for them to acclimatize to the new soil and location. In the meantime, they won't blossom.

There is a very beautiful flower. thanks for information

what a nice flower!Very nice shot.

I love the way you expressed the beauty and nature of burgeoning of this plant flower.

You have better patience for took those adorable flowers booming up. Colors gives lot of spiritualistic. Mind blowing photo captures with nice thoughts.

Wow best photography & great experience. such a really beautiful Flowers.
Thanks @rebeccaryan
Have a great day.

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