Peonies are the flower our customers wait all year for, and rightly so. There's nothing else quite like them. Enormous, ruffled, romantic blooms that open from tight fists into cabbage-sized heads of layered petals. If you've ever wondered why peonies feel special, it's partly the look and partly the fact that we only get them for a short window each year. That scarcity is a big part of the magic.
When peonies are in season in Australia
Peonies are a proper seasonal flower in Australia. Our local growing season runs from around late October through to mid-December, with the peak usually falling in November. Outside of that window we can sometimes access imported peonies at a premium, but the local Australian peony season is the time to buy.
If you're planning peonies for a birthday, anniversary, wedding or Christmas gift, our advice is to book in early. Every year we sell out of certain varieties, and the shortest path to disappointment is leaving a peony order until the day before.
Peony varieties we love
Not all peonies look the same, and knowing which variety you're getting helps set expectations for colour, form, and how open the bloom will get.
- Sarah Bernhardt. A soft, blush-pink peony with enormous ruffled heads. Probably the most requested variety we sell, and for good reason. Reliable, generous, and the classic peony look.
- Coral Charm. Opens a vivid coral-peach and fades to a soft creamy peach as it ages. Absolutely stunning, and one of the most photogenic peonies in the world.
- Duchesse de Nemours. A pure white peony with a slight cream centre. Elegant, bridal, and beautiful in white-and-green arrangements.
- Red Charm. Deep, saturated red with a densely packed bomb-style head. Dramatic and rich.
- Kansas. A bright, cheerful pink that photographs well and holds its colour longer than some of the softer varieties.
Why peonies cost more than other flowers
We get this question a lot, and the honest answer is that peonies are expensive to grow. A peony plant takes several years before it produces sellable stems, the harvest window is tight, and each stem gives you one bloom. Growers time their picks precisely, cool-chain them straight after cutting, and get them into wholesale markets fast. All of that costs money, and it's why a stem of peonies always costs more than a stem of just about anything else. When you're paying for peonies, you're paying for years of grower patience.
How to open closed peony buds
Fresh peonies almost always arrive tightly closed. That's a good thing. It means they'll last longer and you get to enjoy the full opening process. Getting a tight bud to open into that iconic full bloom takes a bit of encouragement.
- Cut two to three centimetres off each stem on a sharp angle before placing in fresh water.
- Use warm water rather than cold for the first vase fill. Warm water helps the stems drink faster.
- Give them plenty of light, but not direct hot sun.
- If a bud feels sticky (peony buds often have a natural sugar coating), a very gentle rinse under lukewarm water can help release it.
- Change the water every second day and re-trim the stems each time.
Most peony buds will open within two to four days of arrival. Once open, expect five to seven more days of full-bloom beauty before the petals start to drop.
What peonies symbolise
Peonies carry meanings of romance, prosperity, honour, and a happy marriage. That last one is why peonies are one of the most requested wedding flowers in the world. They're also traditionally associated with the twelfth wedding anniversary, so if someone in your life is hitting that milestone during peony season, you know what to do.
Ordering peonies during the Australian season
Because our peony window is so short, we recommend ordering as soon as the season opens in late October. We take pre-orders for peony bouquets each year, and we usually announce availability through our email list and social channels. If you have a specific date in mind, especially anything late November or early December, get in early.
Have a look at our current peony bouquets, or explore our full fresh flower range for other seasonal options. If you'd like a peony-heavy arrangement for a wedding or event, our wedding team can build something bespoke.