Like Looking For A Peony In September

Like Looking For A Peony In September

July 28th, 2008 @ 11:03 am by Mrs. Peacock

I looooove peonies. Love, love, love. They grow like crazy around my parents’ home in June and then quickly disappear in July.

Peonies courtesy of Mama Peacock

The multitude of soft, romantic petals in just the perfect shade of pale pink and the dark, shiny leaves make them perfect for our wedding decor. Our September wedding decor. D’oh! I found this bouquet on Livia Cetti’s site and it pretty much summed up what I wanted all the flowers to look like:

soft, loose, pale pink, shades of white, lots of greens and a hint of aubergine.

I have been searching for something big and soft to replace those peonies. Our florist is on board and seems to be enjoying the challenge. I have received a few great suggestions, including dahlias and ranunculus. In order to test drive this idea, I purchased a “dinner plate” dahlia for my mom as a birthday gift. Holy moly, is this thing awesome!

Just for comparison’s sake, and I have ginormous hands, but this thing is HUGE! And it’s not done opening yet!

We also bought her a normal-sized white dahlia, and it is quite beautiful, too.

Has anyone else been on the hunt for an out-of-season flower or its replacement?

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17 Responses to “Like Looking For A Peony In September”

Bee

Mrs. Flamingo (message) 1,267 posts, Bumble bee

If you want the same effect as peonies, go with Carnations. (I did that for my DIY bouquet)

But I understand your love for peonies…. I was lucky to have some for my wedding.

7/28/08 @ 11:09 am (reply)

Member

Cyd (message) 123 posts, Blushing bee

Yes! I too am on the hunt. I love peonies. Love love love. They grow all around my parents’ houses in the spring and always symbolized summer to me as a kid. I love them! I’ve been wrecking my brain trying to come up with an alternative for our July 09 wedding.

7/28/08 @ 11:12 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Bruschetta (message) 5,553 posts, Bee Keeper

Is that second flower really a dahlia? It looks more like a zinnia!

I totally love ranunculus and dahlias, so I’m not stressing peonies’s out-of-season-ness for my late August wedding next year.

7/28/08 @ 11:15 am (reply)

Guest

Kelly

Ah, yes. I pined away for months for peonies for my September wedding also. I was willing to pay as much as necessary to get even just a few of those suckers! It didn’t happen. But, I did use ranunculus and dahlias and it still looked nice. I live vicariously through those with spring weddings filled with peonies…

7/28/08 @ 11:29 am (reply)

Guest

Mrs. Kim

These are beautiful!! Peonies are popular because they are absolutely beautiful, light, and airy!

There are also roses that have these wispy ends on them and give off the very similar look. I can’t think of what they are called, but you could ask your florist about them too

7/28/08 @ 11:30 am (reply)

Guest

Ashley

Mrs. Kim, are you thinking of English roses? That’s what I was going to try for a winter wedding…

7/28/08 @ 11:42 am (reply)

Member

bridecat (message) 91 posts, Worker bee

Yes..you need English roses! I am having a few in my bouquet in October to simulate peonies…scroll down on this page:

http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/articles/NewPlants2008.htm

They are pricey tho…like $15 a stem!

7/28/08 @ 12:02 pm (reply)

Member

bridecat (message) 91 posts, Worker bee

More nice photos!

http://www.davidaustinroses.com/english/Advanced.asp?PageId=2055

7/28/08 @ 12:04 pm (reply)

Member

ayu (message) 17 posts, Newbee

Try garden roses as a substitute for peonies. There are several varieties that have a peony-esque look to them. fiftyflowers.com has pics of several different types that might work for you.

7/28/08 @ 3:09 pm (reply)

10.

Member

mamamiya (message) 191 posts, Blushing bee

i love peonies too and was really sad when, like you, found out that peonies aren’t available Sept, BUT there’s a website that has them in september!! Someone posted it on the boards http://www.fiftyflowers.com

7/28/08 @ 3:39 pm (reply)

11.

Member

missm (message) 811 posts, Busy bee

*sniff* i love peonies and am completely bummed they are out of season for our september wedding. we’re making due with ranunculus and cabbage roses (similar to english roses - may even be the same thing… not so sure).

good luck!

7/28/08 @ 4:45 pm (reply)

12.

Guest

Ms Popcorn

*sigh* those are my favourite colour of peony too, though I got married in August for various reason, and it was rather disappointing realizing all the flowers I wanted were early summer or spring. oh well, so it goes!

7/28/08 @ 10:45 pm (reply)

13.

Member

V (message) 488 posts, Helper bee

You can still get peonies for the first weeks of July…any flower shop should carry them. I looked for them on my “1 year to go” countdown day and there was lots! July peonies here I go!

7/29/08 @ 5:10 am (reply)

14.

Guest

pixielee25

I am actually pining away for the dahlias. There are so many different kinds and colors. Florist in Michigan is not sure if there will be any left come September, but I have my fingers crossed. Also, florist told me someone wanted to do lotus flowers as centerpieces but she replaced with dahlias and it came out gorgeous and less fussy.

8/1/08 @ 12:28 am (reply)

15.

Guest

danielle

i too, am stressing about a late august wedding and would die to have peonies! i did find that website: http://www.fiftyflowers.com... has anyone had any luck with that site - or any suggests?

8/17/08 @ 9:35 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

Tammy

I have had a great experience with fiftyflowers, I was too in the search of peonies, but decided to go with carnations instead, and this is were I got them from. Hope this helps!

12/10/08 @ 5:51 pm (reply)

17.

Guest

elaine

thanks for the tip on fiftyflowers! I know I am definitely going to check them out!

2/5/09 @ 10:07 pm (reply)