Peonies in Late July - Yes...Late July. From the Fridge - July 2025

Late July is the beginning of (at least around here) dahlia season.  We're seeing our first few blooms on the various dahlias around the garden.  We also are seeing our second flush of blooms from the Disneyland Roses on the side of our house.  But, this year it is also something else.  Something that is surprising:  peony season.  

Yep.  This is what the flowers on our countertop look like right now:  Sarah Berhardt peonies are opening up in a vase.

How is this happening?  Peony season around here in late May to Early June.  We cut peonies as fast as we can and they put on a great show for about ten days.  But, this year, I tried something new:  Storing cut peony stems in the fridge when they were at the 'marshmallow stage' before they opened.  Here's a post showing the full process.  

Here, below, is a look at the unwrapping process.   We started with a big collection of wrapped stems in Saran Wrap.  This has been sitting in the fridge for just about eight weeks.  After peeling away the Saran Wrap, each stem is then wrapped in white craft paper.  After peeling that back, there's a layer of paper towels protecting the blooms.  

And, then we're able to have a big vase-ful of pink peonies.  Below are a few photos showing them right when they come out of the fridge.  They need to be rehydrated, but that doesn't take long.  

Next year, I'll see if I can extend these even longer;  maybe until mid-August.