Peonies are cherished for their lush blooms, captivating fragrance, and vibrant colors making them a favorite choice for brightening up any living space.

These stunning flowers can transform a room with their elegance and charm, creating a welcoming and refreshing atmosphere.

However, cutting peonies for a vase isn't simple. To truly enjoy their beauty indoors, you need to know the right techniques and timing to ensure they remain fresh and vibrant.

Summary:

• Peonies require proper cutting and care to ensure they remain fresh and vibrant in a vase.
• You should cut peonies at the "marshmallow stage," use clean, sharp tools, and place the stems in lukewarm water immediately after cutting.
• You can change the water regularly, keep the flowers in bright, indirect light, and use methods like refrigeration or drying for long-term preservation.

Preparation

Varieties of Peony

Choose the varieties of peony that you love. Here are some suggestion:

• Sarah Bernhardt (2 to 4 feet): Large, fragrant, double pink flowers.
• Festiva Maxima (2 to 4 feet): Pure white double blooms with red flecks.
• Hana Kisoi (4 to 7 feet): Large, double, blush pink blooms.
• Garden Treasure (2 to 3 feet): Semi-double yellow flowers, lemon fragrance.

Tools

Here are the tools you'll need: sharp pruning shears, a bucket, and a vase.

You need to use sharp shears to make clean cuts, then fill a bucket with lukewarm water to keep the stems hydrated and fresh until you're ready to arrange them.

Lukewarm water is absorbed more efficiently than cold water, maintaining the blooms' vitality.

Next, you should choose a vase at least 12 inches tall to support the long stems and large blooms.

Clean your tools with a 5% bleach solution by adding a few drops of dish detergent and one teaspoon of bleach to each gallon of water.

How to Cut Peonies For a Vase

When to Cut Peonies

You should cut peonies when their buds show color and feel slightly soft, which is often called the "marshmallow stage." Cutting too early might prevent proper blooming.

I recommend cutting them early in the morning, after the dew has evaporated to ensu the flowers are well-hydrated and retain their freshness.

Cutting Peonies In The Garden

You need to use sharp, clean shears to make a diagonal cut on the stem, increasing the surface area for water absorption.

I suggest cutting the stems to a length of 14 to 18 inches, ensuring the buds are 1 to 1.75 inches in diameter and feel soft.

You also need to leave at least two sets of leaves on the remaining stem to help the plant produce food for next season’s blooms.

Next, place the freshly cut peonies in lukewarm water in 20-30 minutes to minimize moisture loss and let them hydrate in a cool, dark place for a few hours.

Finally, check for pests like ants before bringing them indoors.

Arranging Peonies

When arranging peonies, you should fill your vase about two-thirds full with fresh, lukewarm water, ideally between 98ºF and 105ºF.

If you have flower food, add it to the water and stir until dissolved as this nutrient boost will keep your peonies vibrant.

Next, trim the stems by 3 to 5 cm at a 45-degree angle and remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth.

You need to arrange the tallest stems in the center and shorter ones around them for a balanced look. With proper care, cut peonies can last up to a week or more.

Note: Peonies contain the toxin paeonol causing gastrointestinal distress in dogs. You should keep these flowers out of the reach of your pets.

Care for Peonies

Here are main requirements for caring peonies in a vase:

• Change the water daily or every other day
• Use lukewarm water (98ºF-105ºF) for better absorption.
• Re-cut stems at a 45-degree angle during each water change.
• Remove any leaves below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth.
• Place peonies in bright, indirect light.
• Avoid placing near ripening fruits, as ethylene gas can shorten their lifespan.
• Use a floral preservative if available.

Light

You keep your peonies in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight will cause them to wilt quickly.

To extend their bloom, you should place the flowers in a cool, shaded area away from warm drafts, keeping them as cool as possible until they open.

Water

You need to change the water in the vase completely every day or every other day to prevent bacterial growth and keep the blossoms looking their best.

When changing the water, thoroughly rinse the vase to eliminate any debris and use lukewarm water, as peonies absorb it more effectively.

You also need to adjust the frequency based on your environment. Daily changes are necessary in hot, dry conditions, while every two days suffices in cooler, more humid settings.

Revive drooping peony blooms

If your peonies begin to wilt prematurely, submerge the entire stem in lukewarm water for 30 minutes to an hour to rehydrate the blossoms and can often perk them up.

If submerging the stems doesn't fully revive the flowers, try retrimming the stems at a sharper angle to enhance their ability to absorb water.

After retrimming, you place the peonies in fresh water to encourage better water uptake.

Pests and Diseases

Ants are commonly found on peonies due to the nectar produced by the buds. While they are not harmful to the flowers, they can be a nuisance.

Before bringing your peonies indoors, you shake gently or rinse off any ants.

Besides, bacterial soft rot can cause peony stems to become slimy and foul-smelling. You remove any affected stems immediately to prevent the spread of the disease.

Common Problem: Peonies Don’t Open

Peonies may not open fully if cut too early, lack hydration, or are kept in warm conditions.

You should ensure buds are soft and slightly open, trim stems at an angle, and place them in fresh lukewarm water.

I recommend keeping the vase in a cool, shaded area. If you notice sticky sap, wash the buds and re-trim the stems for better water uptake.

Preservation

Refrigeration

To preserve peonies through refrigeration, you need to remove the leaves from the stems, then wrap them in newspaper and seal them in an airtight container.

Next, you lay them horizontally in your fridge to keep your peonies fresh for up to a month.

When you're ready to use them, rehydrate the stems, and they'll bloom beautifully in a vase for about a week.

Drying

To preserve peonies long-term, you can dry them by tying the stems together with twine or a rubber band and hanging them upside down in a dry, dark place.

In about two weeks, the blooms will be dried and can be used in arrangements with other dried flowers.