This is the seventh year that the floral and plant delivery company has named a flower of the year, and it's no surprise that this graceful bloom, often symbolizing love and growth, has been selected.
Peonies are fragrant flowers, most commonly found in shades of pink but also popular for their red, white and yellow hues. They have long been loved by gardeners as a springtime and early summer bloom, with their elegant bowl-shaped flowers making them a perfect addition to cottage garden styles.
'Peonies are simply glorious. I absolutely adore them in garden and floral design alike for their unapologetic glamor and heavenly scent,' saysRachel Bull, head of gardens atHomes & Gardens.
'My favorite varieties have to be ‘bowl of cream’ and ‘lemon chiffon’ - though I also love ‘coral sunset’. Watching as the color fades from magenta to apricot and then to pale lemon is astounding and very beautiful,' Rachel adds. 'Perhaps the fact they are never around for very long makes them all the more coveted.'
Rachel is a gardening editor, flower grower and floral designer. Her journalism career began onCountry Livingmagazine, sparking a love of container gardening and wild planting. After more than a decade writing for and editing a range of consumer, business and special interest titles, Rachel became editor of floral art magazineThe Flower Arranger. She then trained and worked as a floral designer and stylist in London for six years, before joining theHomes & Gardensteam.
The most sought-after flower
(Image credit: Jasenka Arbanas / Moment / Getty Images)
1-800-Flowers says this desirable bloom is one of the most-searched for flowers on its site.
'Peonies, with their vibrant and delicate petals, are the perfect gesture for romantic and celebratory occasions,' says Abhay Patel, Brand President of 1-800-Flowers.com.
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In the same announcement, the company also named philodendrons as its plant of the year.
'Looking ahead to 2024, we’ve selected the peony and philodendron as our flower and plant of the year to help our customers express themselves, bring joy, and cultivate meaningful connections with the important people in their lives,' adds Abhay.
Abhay Patel
Abhay Patel is Brand President of 1-800-Flowers.com - an online flower delivery service and plant authority.
The romantic and ever-popular peony has been crowned flower of the year for 2024 by 1-800-Flowers. This is the seventh year that the floral and plant delivery company has named a flower of the year, and it's no surprise that this graceful bloom, often symbolizing love and growth, has been selected.
They are often associated with prosperity and considered the "King of Flowers." Romance and Love: Peonies represent romance, love, and a happy marriage. They make popular wedding bouquets and anniversary gifts.
Herbaceous peonies, with their generous length of stems, are used in a variety of arrangements, from bridal bouquets to garlands. These are also cut before being fully open, though soft buds guarantee that they will open for your event.
More than simply looking fabulous and standing the test of time, though, the peony is also full of meaning. Generally symbolic of love, honor, happiness wealth, romance, and beauty, the peony is traditionally given on special occasions as an expression of goodwill, best wishes, and joy.
The 2024 title for Flower of the Year goes to the appropriately nicknamed “King of Flowers,” the peony. This fabulous flower has long been a garden favorite, but 1-800-Flowers.com made it official when they selected the peony as the 2024 Flower of the Year.
They are also known to symbolise wealth, because for a really long time only Chinese emperors used peonies. In Japan, they represent bravery, honour and good fortune. Generally, though, peonies symbolise prosperity, good luck, love and honour.
Peonies have many meanings depending on their colour. Overall, the flower is considered to symbolise bashfulness or good luck, while in China and Japan the blooms mean wealth, honour and fortune. Peony flowers are also said to represent compassion, making them a strong choice for many looking for sympathy bouquets.
Ants are particularly attracted to the sweet nectar that coats the buds, while bees, such as honeybees and bumblebees, find the abundant pollen and nectar within the flowers irresistible.
The scent of a peony will depend on its variety, colour, and even the time of day. Their scent is often described as sweet and roselike, or sometimes as slightly citrus. Peonies feature in a surprising number of beauty and hair products for their feminine scent.
Peonies are one of the most popular flowers for bouquets and special occasions and for good reason. Their sweet fragrance paired with their lush, full blooms make them an excellent choice for those looking for classic elegance.
The peony is also a deeply symbolic flower in Asia. Known as 'the King of Flowers', the tree peony (牡丹 mudan) in particular represents power, wealth, beauty, and is often associated with the Imperial family.
Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) is an herb. The roots are commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for many purposes. Peony might block chemicals that can cause pain and swelling.It might also prevent blood clotting, kill cancer cells, and act as an antioxidant.
Peony-Plant of Healing. Happy Life and Prosperity. It is believed that Peony is named after Paeon (also known as Paean), who was a healing deity who had healed Hades' and Ares' wounds. The flower myth related, says that Paeon was a student of Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing.
As you prepare to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the Year of the Dragon, consider incorporating Lucky Bamboo, Money Tree, Orchid, Jade Plant, and a Citrus Tree into your living space. These plants are not just decorations – they are living symbols of prosperity, positivity, and good fortune.
Chosen for its beauty and significance, the fragrant peony is often included in bridal bouquets and is a popular choice among gift givers. Additionally, the peony is one of the most searched flowers on 1-800-Flowers.com.
Peony: Diseases Issues. While peonies are generally robust, they can be susceptible to several diseases that can mar their beauty. Fungal infections like Botrytis blight and powdery mildew are common, often manifesting as discolored foliage and damaged blooms. Root rot and viral diseases can also impact their health.
Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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