I’m in the Potting Shed with peonies which have been blooming for a couple a weeks now.
I cut the last few blooms right before a heavy rain this week to prevent the flowers from shattering.
I found a pretty blue and white Johnson Brothers Prince Royal transferware platter on sale while shopping with a friend a couple of weeks ago. She asked me how I was going to use it for and I decided it just the right size to serve up peonies!
Soon our fragrant blooms will become petal confetti. . .*sniff*
Time to celebrate the blooms with some Ball jar bouquets!
Privet blooms the same time as the peonies. . .
Pretty white blooms appear in the spring that the bees love.
Japanese privet is considered invasive here in the South, popping up from seeds carried by birds that spread the plant.
Our privet volunteered and grows in a hedge mixed with wax myrtles by my Potting Shed.
You can cut the flowers to help eliminate potential reseeding. . .
Or to enjoy with peonies ;)
Japanese privet is a fast-growing shrub and hardy in zones 7 – 11, growing as much as 25 inches during one season.
Too bad peonies don’t grow with as much gusto! I picked up some peony roots to plant this spring which will take about three years to flower.
Hope you’re enjoying some pretty blooms where you are!
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So pretty…mine are just red fleshy hints yet in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Tulips are in bloom yet here and yesterday I had toscrape frost from the car windows. Yours will allow me to enjoy peonies twice!
Your peonies are so gorgeous Mary, it’s so sad their season is ending. Good idea to save and savor the remaining blooms, I love all the ways you’ve served them up! I’ve always thought privet was pretty, another one of Mother Nature’s little ironies…I can’t wait to see what’s blooming next around your potting shed-
Jenna
Peonies are one of my favorite of the “old fashioned” flowers that I love. I only have one bush (I need more) and I look forward to it blooming every spring. Their blooms go away just too quickly. Love your Peonie Post! The pink against the blue and white is just devine!
Mary, everything is beautiful! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
The privets are so invasive! We have removed some of ours but the roots are enormous! Our peonies were decimated by the recent rains but our hydrangeas are getting ready to pop! I am a blue & white lover too!
Mary, your creative ways to bring beauty into your daily life are inspiring! Your ideas and photography are brilliant. I so enjoy your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Mary, Your peonies are so beautiful and they bloom at least a month and a half ahead of ours in Maine. My father was a peony nut and he passed that on to me . I have 5 peony trees and 30 classic peonies of multiple varieties. My favorite I moved 3 times. Her name is Maxime du Cornu. She is so spectacular in her bright pink and orange start to her soft peach flower that smells a bit like orange blossom. I ordered her from a farm in Minnesota years ago. Thank you for giving me peony season twice!
Your peonies are gorgeous! When I heard the forecast for heavy rain and possible hail the other day, I ran outside and cut all five of my peony blossoms (wish I had more than that!). We’ve been enjoying their fragrance and showiness, but today they’ll probably lose their petals. It’s been so nice while it lasted. Thanks for sharing your lovely arrangements–I always look forward to seeing what you are doing in your potting shed!
Gorgeous!! I found several “buds” that had been pounded off by the rain…put them in a snifter and they are erupting as we speak! With each new type of flower opening I seem to say, “THIS ONE is my FAV..” We don’t have Japanese privet… franki
I bet the potting shed smells heavenly?? My peonies are still buds..but by Memorial Day will be blooming. I can’t wait..I have red, white and pinks..I wish they would bloom all summer..they are my favs!! You were lucky to pick up that blue transfer..it is just perfect for peonies!! Thanks again..for sharing!! 🌸🌸🌸
Always love looking at your pictures they’re beautiful. Here in Iowa our peonies aren’t even thinking about blooming yet. Usually can expect them around Memorial Day.
Hi Mary, Your peonies are so full and perfect! Ours are in bud stage now and I’m thinking of cutting some to try to keep for blooming later in the summer. The blooms are so fleeting that I’m reluctant to cut stems with buds now in case this experiment doesn’t work! It’s so funny when someone asks what we dish lovers will do with a pretty dish…the sky is the limit, isn’t it? I don’t think the japanese privet would be invasive here as it would not survive the winter frosts, although I don’t want to find out! Beautiful photos, as usual, Mary. Linda
Here in southwest Michigan the Peonys are in bud form. Weatherman says temps in the 70’s all next week, should have blossoms by Memorial Day. Always a favorite to take to the cemetery’s. Mary love your artistic talents you are so blessed.
How lovely. My peonies are just beginning to bloom. Can’t wait.
AHHH, this is just beautiful. Ours are buds right now but soon will bloom! Can’t wait! I, too, wish they would bloom longer. It is still cool and rainy here. We have only had 6 days of sun all this month!!! I love, love the blue transferware with the peonies!
I love to pop into your blog and see all the beautiful flowers and decor. You make it look so easy, but those of us who have brown thumbs know it is not. thank you for sharing your lovely gift of flower growing.
Love all your displays of the Peonies!!! they are gorgeous! I have to check and see if these will make it in Texas !!
Have A Great Week!
Dee
No peonies in Hawai’i…at least, none I have seen growing here….Yours are so beautiful!
I love all your blue & white transferware!
Oh I am sure you will be so sad to see the Peonies leave until next season. What a joy they bring in the Spring! Such a gorgeous display of them!
I love your serving of peonies on your new platter, Mary, and in your ball jars! The Japanese privet looks so pretty. It’s hard to believe that it’s invasive. Enjoy playing with your peonies while they last.
Love your peonies in your potting shed. Beautiful display on the blue and white transferware. Our peonies finally bloomed in pink and white. The pink ones don’t have a scent but the white ones have a lovely scent. Our weather has been dreary and rainy–in the 50’s. It’s supposed to be in the 70’s tomorrow and Thursday with sun. Thank you for sharing.
Sad to see your peonies go. Wish they could last longer but your great pics help you remember.
We had a nice needed rain last night and my hydrangeas are really opening up. Last year I didn’t have any blooms so I am very happy and feeling blessed this year.
Beautiful as usual Mary!
Very pretty Mary! Looks like my pink will open any time now and the white ~might~ hold out to closer to Memorial Day Weekend. My fingers are crossed any way:@)
Mary, peonies just make my heart sing…so pretty in the Johnson Bros. and Ball jars. Privet is all round on our acreage and invasive, but it looks so pretty with the peonies! Pam @ Everyday Living
All BEAUTIFUL! Can’t grow peonies here, but I bring them home from the grocery. Trader Joe’s has them for $6.99 a boquet. That’s half the price of the other local grocery stores. I wanted to bring home a bucket, but settled on just one boquet. ;-) I’ve been arranging them with dusty miller. Looks so pretty together!
Heavy rain here has my day lillies looking sad. They were so gorgeous earlier. Not complaining about the rain though. It’s been wonderful as well as bringing us much cooler temps. Sweater weather here in the mornings and evenings. I have my Ball jars filled with blooms too. Always think of you and your generosity.
Does privet have a heavenly smell? I know that there is a type of shrub or hedge that does and I thought it had little white flowers. Your postings are always so beautiful – today is no exception.
Oh so beautiful. After our very hard winter, I have only a few Iris that have bloomed. Booooo. So I just going to enjoy your beautiful flowers.
I discovered your blog today through the French Country Cottage blog for Feathered Nest Friday, and I;m so glad I did–the photos are just lovely, and your posts are such fun to read! I’ll be looking forward to your next post :)
Hi Mary! The peonies are so BEAUTIFUL!! My plant is growing fast and I can’t wait for the flowers! I have noticed in the comments above mine, we in Michigan love you! You are read in the UP (Upper Peninsula), in the southwest part and I represent the thumb area of our great “mitten” state. (Did you know we are called the “mitten” state because the bottom half of our state looks like a left hand mitten? We say it’s God’s left hand print!) In other comments, I have noticed there is a lady from Traverse, MI and that is near the top of the what would be the “ring” finger of the left hand, so you can see that the whole state is covered in love for Mary and the Potting Shed! haha. Thank you for you the continual inspiration and joy you bring all of us. I’m on vacation today and going out now to finish painting my trellis before the Robins build a nest in it. :)
I meant to say “Traverse City”. :)
Lovely. Your photos are amazing and I can almost smell the peonies sweet perfume. Thanks for sharing.
All smiles, pure pink smiles!
I always hate seeing peonies go. Yours are so gorgeous, but I admit that I was a bit distracted by your beautiful transferware!
What a pretty post. They are a favorite. Deb
i never went home this spring, never even saw my own peonies, but i sure did buy some! peonies and gardenias, does life smell any sweeter?! another spectacular series!