The inherent beauty of the peony has not gone unnoticed by famous artists, either. They have graced many canvases throughout the years and appear in many paintings. Some of the more renowned examples of peony in art:

Peonies, or Pivoines. This painting was created by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1880. It’s oil on canvas and depicts a bowl of peonies on a white tablecloth. The artist used muted shades of pinks and salmon to create the blossoms. Much foliage is present, in shades of sage. The original painting measures 21.6 x 25.7 inches.

Peonies, Lilacs, and Tulips. This is another beautiful floral by Renoire. The tall vase of flowers and foliage is artfully depicted in front of a large mirror, providing two views of the subject.

Vase with Poppies, Daisies, Cornflowers, and Peonies. This oil on canvas was painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1886. The 39 x 31.1-inch work features an asymmetrical flower arrangement in a tall container. Van Gogh chose shades of vibrant red, light blues, pale pinks, and off white. Beside the floral arrangement, bunches of cut flowers are resting on the table.

Vase de Piviones, or Vase of Peonies. This is an oil on canvas that was done in 1881by Henri Fantin-Latour, who was famous for his florals.

White Peonies and Roses Narcissu. This another work by Fantin-Latour. Many of his paintings of flowers are hanging in English museums and galleries.

Peonies. This work was painted by William Merritt Chase, a prominent nineteenth-century American artist. This painting was done around 1903 and serves as a symbol for the transience of life itself. In the vase, vigorous blooms are depicted, yet on the table are wilted petals and a fallen blossom.

Bouquet of Peonies. This work was painted by Edouard Manet and is one of his most famous florals. It was created in 1882, near the end of the artist’s life.

Bouquet of Peonies Edouard Manet

The Flower Girls. This painting by Russian artist Alexie Harlamoff was painted around the turn of the twentieth century. It depicts peasant children surrounded by cut flowers as they assemble them in baskets to sell on the streets. Several flower species, including peonies, surround the children.

The Arrangement. This is another oil on canvas by Harlamoff. The subject matter is similar to that of the above painting, except that in this work, the human subject is a lone peasant girl, perhaps in her teens. Harlamoff began life as a serf. In the last decade or so, his works have gained world-wide acclaim. This particular painting recently sold for over $1 million.

Peony and Canary. This work is an example of woodblock printing popular in Japan since the 1600s. This print was created by Katsushika Hokusai in either 1833 or 1834. The original woodcut used simple flowing lines to detail the single peony flower and the leaves.

First of all, it’s important to select the right blooms for drying, no matter which preservation method you choose. Select flowers that have newly bloomed, when the petals are just beginning to exhibit their color. Choose the most perfect specimens you can find – ones without blemishes or signs of disease or insect infestation. Cut the blossoms with sharp scissors or shears, trying not to crush or damage the stems. Leave about six inches of stem on each flower for air drying, and remove any leaves. For other drying methods, it’s best to remove the stem and to dry the flower heads only. Make sure the flowers are free of dew before using a drying process.

Peony Petals

The easiest way to preserve your peonies is by air drying them. Simply gather five or six peonies into a bunch, and secure the bunch with a wide rubber band or by tying twine around the stems. Hang the bunches upside down so that air can get to all sides of the flowers. You might want to suspend them from a beam or from a clothes hanger. Allow them to dry in a dark place to maintain good color. You also need to choose a place that’s low in moisture. Hanging the flowers in a basement is just asking for mold. Depending on the humidity level of their drying place, the peonies will take from one to four weeks to completely dry.

By drying your peonies in silica gel, more natural color will be maintained than from air drying. Silica gel closely resembles coarse salt, and it’s very absorbent. You can find it at most any craft store. Place about three inches of the gel in a plastic container that has a sealable lid. Place your peonies, face up, in the gel. Don’t let the flowers touch each other. Carefully add more silica gel to the container until the flowers are completely covered. The gel has to get to all sections of the blossom, so you’ll need to GENTLY shake the container from side to side to shift the gel around. Place the lid on and allow the blooms to dry. It takes an average peony two or three days to dry in silica gel.

Another method for silica gel-drying involves the microwave. Place three inches of the gel in a deep plastic or glass container. Each flower head should have its own little “nest” in the granules and should be supported by the silica gel. Place the container of flowers in the microwave, along with a cup of plain water. Set the water in the corner of the microwave. Microwave drying times vary widely. Check your blooms after two minutes. Once the flowers have dried completely, remove the container from the microwave, place the lid on, and allow the flowers and the gel to cool for several hours before removing the flowers.

The Peony

A Guide To The Peony

Peonies are naturally found in Japan and China, where they have been valued for their attractive array of colorful flowers, and they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and styles. Several garden stores have peonies, and a considerable number of companies in fact focus on growing and hybridizing these plants, developing a striking set of cultivars to please various tastes. You may also notice the peony portrayed in several works of Asian art, where it is linked to fortune, happiness, honor and long life. Moreover, the peony has been used for Chinese medicinal purposes for decades.

The peony comes from the buttercup family, but interestingly, it doesn’t have much similarity to the buttercup. The peony grows big, attractive flowers that are usually very colorful, with leaves that may be so deeply lobed that they may appear quite lacy. Peonies can come in yellow, white, red and pink, and they generally show up in the late spring and start of summer.

Many people love peonies because they are quite attractive once they’re in full bloom, and they are classically grown in flower gardens. These cheery perennials produce a whole collection of aromatic blossoms during the late spring and their appealing, lustrous leaves emerge quite nicely in the border throughout autumn. Peonies can have some problems due to disease and insect attacks and so require continuous care once settled. The very first thing you should do is to make certain that you plant your peony properly.

Plant peonies within the months of September through to early October since these plants develop much of their roots during this point. Peonies that are planted in the spring usually reach their prime much slower compared to peonies planted during the fall. Next, select the best site for your peony plants to grow in. Choose sites with well-drained and fertile soil that receives a minimum of 6 hours of sun per day. Another thing you need to make sure of is to space your plants 3 to 4 feet apart.

Burrow a 24 by 24 inch depression for each peony. Blend 4 inches of compost and a fourth to half a cup of granulated organic fertilizer into the dug-up site. Fill up the hole and compress it down a bit or let it set for a few days. For a bareroot division, burrow a shallow opening that is about 2 to 3 inches deep with proper soil, and then sow the root clump, making certain that the eyes aren’t beyond 2 inches under the soil’s surface. When planting a potted peony, burrow a hole into the worked soil that is the depth identical to the pot’s. Set the peony, making certain to do so accurately. A tree peony should be set 4 to 6 inches under the surface of the ground.

If you plant a peony too deep, the plant will have trouble settling and may take a much longer time to bloom. Peonies also seem to not favor being disturbed or moved around too much in a year. Good preparation will give you the best looking peonies in your neighborhood.