SuziQ’s Garden is located in Central Otago between Wanaka and Cromwell and it’s our unique cold winters synonymous with this area that make growing peonies so achievable. Peony flowers are suited to a climate that features warm summers, relatively dry springs and cold winters. Peonies require a minimum of 500 hours of zero degree days in the winter to form the lush, full blooms they are famous for.
A lot of prep and cultivation goes into making these peonies as beautiful as possible. When they finally bloom, it feels like the culmination of a lot of hard work and waiting. Our blooms last from early-November into late-December. I am in the process of extending my Peony varieties that will bloom into January to help my local supply for those special occasions, like weddings.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any tips to help you keep your peonies in bloom year-round, however, there are a few tips and tricks I can offer up to help you keep your cut peony flowers fresh for as long as possible.
1. Use the temperature to your advantage.
Peony flowers bloom in accordance with the temperature. The warmer the air, the quicker the bloom. If you want to prolong your bloom or save the peak bloom for a specific time, try to keep your flowers in a cold room. You can even keep them in your fridge if you have space. Cold temperatures will help your peonies last a little bit longer.
2. Keep your water fresh and chilled.
You’ll want to put your fresh cut flowers in a clean vase add 1/4 with water. To keep your peonies happy, change the water every three days. I place empty milk containers of clean water in the refrigerator, so it is always on hand for this process, the chill factor is the key for that longer laster blooming period.
3. Cut your Stems.
If you have received your flowers from a florist or grower, it’s likely your stems will already be cut on an angle. Cutting on an angle helps the flower absorb more water which will help keep them hydrated, and looking fresher and perkier for longer.
You can keep cutting your stems every few days to help your Peonies last. I cut my vase stems when I change out the water every three days, by 1cm.
We grow a wide range of Peony varieties and ship throughout New Zealand. Our NZ peonies can be found at weddings, funerals, festivities and parties throughout the country. Our Peony season runs from late October to late December. We welcome visitors during our open hours. We open Labour Weekend (24th October) and close on Christmas Eve, 24th December, so if you are in the Wanaka, Queenstown or Central Otago location, feel free to pop by during our opening hours to see the beautiful peony fields for yourself. I’m always happy to have a chat about how to extend the life of your peonies so reach out with any questions. We look forward to seeing you soon.
