How to Preserve Peonies
Using this technique, you will be able to preserve cut peony buds until you wish to have them at a later date. By following this step-by-step tutorial and you will have fresh peonies right into the fall months!
Yield: 1 Peony
Cost: 10
Equipment
- Sharp garden shears or floral scissors
Materials
- Peonies any color will work!
- Plastic Wrap
- Sealable or Ziplock Bag
Instructions
Harvest The Peonies
- Select peony flowers that are still mostly closed but not tightly shut. When gently squeezed, the peony should feel soft, similar to a marshmallow. This stage ensures the peony will open beautifully after preservation.
- Use sharp garden shears or a floral knife to trim the peony stem to approximately 16 inches below the flower. Cut at a sharp angle to help with water absorption.
- Remove all leaves from the stem to prevent excess moisture loss and potential bacterial growth. Make sure the peony flower is clean of dirt and inspect for any insects, especially ants, which are attracted to peony buds.
Preserve The Peonies
- Lay a piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface. For a 16-inch peony, use approximately 20 inches of plastic wrap to have full coverage.
- Place the cleaned-up peonies on the plastic wrap. You can position them individually or arrange them in a visually appealing layout, with some peonies going in opposite directions.
- Carefully roll the peonies up in the plastic wrap, make sure that the stem tips and blooms are fully covered and the flower is completely sealed within the plastic wrap to prevent air exposure.
- Place the wrapped-up peonies in a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it shut.
- Lay the bag of wrapped peony flowers horizontally in the refrigerator. This helps maintain the integrity of the flowers and prevents them from getting crushed or misshapen during storage. The only down side is this does take up quite a bit of room in your refridgerator.
Revive The Peonies
- Take the wrapped peonies out of the refrigerator when you're ready to use them. Allow them to come to room temperature to gradually warm up.
- Give each peony a clean trim by cutting approximately 2 inches off the bottom of the stem at a sharp angle. This helps the peony absorb water more efficiently and promotes better hydration.
- Place the trimmed peony in a clean vase filled with lukewarm water and add flower food. Allow the peony to sit in the water and warm up to room temperature.
- Over the next few days, the peonies should begin to open and bloom. Since the peony was closed when initially cut, it may take approximately 2 days for the peony to start opening up and blooming. Keep them away from direct sunlight and drafts to prolong their freshness and lifespan.
- Display and enjoy your beautifully preserved peonies months later!
Video
Notes
Peony Preserving Tips
- If you plan to use the peonies for a specific occasion, keep in mind that it may take a few days for them to fully open after removing them from the fridge.
- Using this preservation technique, I've successfully revived peonies as late as September, well beyond their typical bloom season in mid-June in Alberta, Canada.
- Ensure the peonies are clean and free of bugs to prevent mold growth before starting the preservation process.
- The longer you keep peonies in the fridge, the higher the risk of browning or mold development before use. For special occasions like weddings, wrap up extra peonies to ensure you have enough for your needs in case this happens.