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Calling all peony lovers! If you’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of these magnificent blooms, you’ll want to act fast. Growers are sounding the alarm that peony season is set to end sooner than usual this year.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Heavy rainfall is forcing growers to end peony season early, impacting availability.
- Excess moisture prevents proper growth and storage of peonies, affecting quality.
- Temperature fluctuations also play a role in peony development and bloom times.
Peony Perfection at Risk
As a die-hard peony enthusiast, I live for the fleeting window when these lush, romantic blooms grace gardens and bouquets with their presence. But Mother Nature has thrown us a curveball this year, and we may have to savor the peony splendor for a shorter time.
The Rain, the Rain, the Merciless Rain
Growers in both the U.S. and Europe are reporting that persistent, heavy rainfall has them waving the white flag and ending peony season earlier than planned. With more rain on the horizon, the availability of these coveted flowers in the coming weeks is uncertain at best.
When It Rains, It Pours (Problems)

Beyond just cutting the season short, the excess moisture is causing a whole host of issues for peony growers. Kady Adelman, retail manager for Adelman Peony Gardens in Salem, Oregon, explains, “As the flowers get water trapped in the petals, we have a hard time getting them dried out, and they are more likely to rot in storage with the wet petals.”
Talk about a peony predicament! Not only can the rain prevent growers from cutting and storing stems (a technique used to extend the season), but it can also impede the growth and development of the flowers themselves. As Kady wisely notes, “Peonies really don’t like their roots to be too wet.”
A Delicate Dance with Temperature
But wait, there’s more! Rainfall isn’t the only climate culprit affecting our precious peony supply. Temperature shifts can also throw a wrench into the delicate dance of peony development.
Kady recalls, “We thought our season would be a little behind this year because we had colder, early spring weather, then it turned warm really quickly. As a result, some flowers were smaller sized because they didn’t get as much time to grow in bud before they bloomed.”
On the flip side, Katy King of Hidden Springs Flower Farm in York, Pennsylvania, experienced a warmer spring, which brought the season forward by about a week. “Rather than mid-to-late May, they bloomed early-to-mid,” she says.
Embracing the Unpredictable Nature of…Well, Nature
As frustrating as these weather woes can be, Kady Adelman offers a philosophical perspective: “The weather is always challenging, although it is something out of our control, and we just have to work with it.”
Ain’t that the truth? When you’re dealing with living, breathing flora, you have to roll with the punches (or raindrops, as it were) that Mother Nature throws your way.
Peony Preservation Tips
If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on some peonies this season, you’ll want to make them last as long as possible. Here are a few tips:
Support System
Those big, beautiful peony blooms can be heavy, causing the stems to flop over. Prevent this by using support rings or stakes to keep them upright and sturdy.
Deadhead for More Blooms
Once a peony flower has faded, be sure to deadhead (remove the spent bloom) promptly. This encourages the plant to produce more flowers and extends the blooming period.
Keep ‘Em Cool
Peonies love cool temperatures, so if you have cut stems, keep them in a cool spot out of direct sunlight to prolong their vase life.
Seize the Peony Season!
With all the challenges growers are facing this year, one thing is clear: if you want to bask in peony perfection, you’ll need to act fast! Snatch up those bunches while you can, and revel in their fleeting, fragrant glory.
After all, part of what makes peonies so special is their ephemeral nature. Like a shooting star or a double rainbow, their beauty is breathtaking precisely because it’s so brief. So let’s raise our peony-adorned bouquets and toast to appreciating life’s most exquisite, if temporary, pleasures.