If Instagram has taught me anything within the last few weeks, it’s that peony season should be year round. Really, I don’t know if there’s ever been a more beloved flower on social media. Before those beautiful blooms go out of season, you’ll want to follow these five simple steps for making your peonies last longer. That way, you can be sure to enjoy (and photograph) them enough to tide you over until next year!
Here are a few simple steps to follow to help your peonies last longer:
1. If you don’t have plant food (that comes with most flowers), you can add a bit of sugar to your water.
2. Peonies are affected by the heat. At night, place them in the fridge, or outside (if it’s cooler) to keep them from opening further.
3. Cut the stems at an angle, under water, every other day. This allows for the flower to absorb more water.
4. Replace the water every two days; you’ll notice the water getting a bit brown even after 1 day. Fresh water is a must!
5. Use cold water when refilling the vase. If you need your blooms to open up quickly for a photo shoot or event, warm water will open them up in no time.
Another tip– you can also find cheaper peonies directly from the grower. Check your surrounding area for farms! I went to two about 40 minutes outside of Portland that were packed full of different varieties, plus the price was about half of what you pay for in stores.
Following these few easy tricks will help you make your peonies last longer and it’s so worth it. If you really want your peonies to last forever, I recommend pressing a few of the petals to turn into dried flower coasters!