10 Things You Didn't Know About Peonies

Interesting Facts About Peonies That Will Charm You (and Maybe Surprise You)

They're a symbol of late spring, loved by brides and gardeners alike. Peonies are flowers with celebrity status in the plant kingdom. They're big, showy, and smell wonderful, but their season in 2026 is once again so short that we need to enjoy them fully while they're available.

You might have some in a vase right now, but do you really know everything about them? We bring you a collection of the most fascinating facts that will make you shine in any conversation.

1. It Wasn't Originally an Ornamental Flower, But a Medicine

Today we admire their beauty, but 2,000 years ago in China, you'd have found a peony in the medicine cabinet rather than in a vase. The roots and seeds were used in traditional medicine against headaches, asthma, and even labor pains. The name Paeonia comes from Paeon, a student of Asclepius, the god of medicine.

Peony blooms

2. Why Are There Always Ants on the Buds?

Many people panic: "I've got pests on my peonies!" Relax, ants are friends. Peony buds secrete a sweet nectar. The ants feed on it, and in return they protect the defenseless bud from other pests that could destroy it. Once the flower opens, the ants leave. It's a perfect collaboration of nature.

Tip from our florist Monika: "If you bring peonies home from your garden, just turn the flower head down and give it a gentle shake, or dip it briefly in cold water. The ants will float away, and you'll have a clean bouquet."

3. A Short but Intense Season

We can rely on roses all year round. But peonies are rare wonders. Their natural season in 2026 lasts only 6–8 weeks (May and June). It's exactly this scarcity that makes them such an exclusive item. Once the season starts, don't hesitate. Try our vibrant peony color mix, which will brighten up your whole home.

Peony Colors

(These peony varieties are available for only a few weeks a year)

Add to cart

Pink Peony Sarah Bernhardt

109 Kč

Add to cart

Red Peonies

95 Kč

Add to cart

White peonies

98 Kč

4. Symbolism: From Wealth to Bashfulness

What are you saying when you give someone a peony? It depends on the culture and the color:

China: Here the peony is the "queen of flowers." It symbolizes wealth, honor, and high social standing.
The West: It represents romance and a happy marriage.
Pink peony: A symbol of love at first sight and affection. The variety Sarah Bernhardt (named after the famous actress) is an icon among pink blooms.
White peonies: Symbolize bashfulness and apology ("I'm sorry"), but also purity, which is why they're a hit at weddings in 2026.

5. Blooms the Size of a Dinner Plate

Peonies don't do anything halfway. Some varieties can have blooms up to 25 cm across! Once fully open, a single flower can fill an entire vase. Combined with their intoxicating scent, it's a genuine work of natural art. If you're looking for something truly passionate, a red peony is utterly unrivaled at this scale.

6. The Most Loyal Plants There Are

While you have to replant other perennials after a few years, the peony is a rock. It can grow and bloom in the same spot for easily 100 years. It will outlive us all. So if you plant a peony, you're planting a legacy for your grandchildren.

The Flower of May

It's no accident that peonies rule over May. In the language of flowers, they're linked to the month of love and new life. If someone has a birthday in May, or you're celebrating an anniversary, there's no better gift. Whether you choose a gentle white or a bold red, peonies are always the right choice.