Paeonia

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.

-Audra Foveo

Martha Stewart has a remarkable garden. Not the sort of garden one develops to be believable as a domestic authority, but the sort created for a passionate devotee of cultured growing spaces. The word from people down the way in Westport, where she lived before moving here, is that she has always had a remarkable green thumb and the gardens at Turkey Hill, her home there which she managed largely alone, were magnificent and a rival to the new gardens at Cantitoe in Katonah. I have read Martha Stewart Magazine for years but the photos of the Cantitoe Farm we knew as children and the photos of it today are perhaps the only ones which marked my memory: The gardens are fantastic; the cultivars broad and unusual in every area. This photo still causes me to stare deep into the spring mist to admire and covet these few rows of peace on earth in an early dew.

The field of peonies (Paeonia) next to the paddock. I aspire to rise in room above such a field. This is a dreamscape for me if ever there was one.

I can only hope to return from my morning romp with the dogs with a basketful of peonies such as this. The photo above from the same article in May, 2008, is stirring.

The peony is a favorite of mine, it reminds me of one of my oldest friends. She is a remarkable soul. Some years ago we lost her to Park City, Utah and now to the Williamette Valley of Oregon. Her unforgettable, Jackie-esque Mother left this earth far too young but not before passing her love of peonies to Lois. Lois' wedding paired long turquoise shantung gowns with vibrant pink peonies and passed her great love of peonies on to me. Congenial peacocks roamed playfully around the ceremony. Like she and her Mom, Mary, everything about that day was magnificent: A wash in brilliant color and beautiful fabrics in Cottonwood Canyon as evening set in. A peony will always bring back that afternoon for me. And the feeling that follows is that I wish she could come home again. One bloom visible to the heart of a flower lover carries such a rich fabric of memories.

These are a few of my favorite varieties, available here.

Sorbet, Fairy's Petticoat, Top Brass

They make striking centerpieces.

And memorable bouquets.





All above photos marthastewart.com.

They inspire.
My favorite new computer trend from my favorite new graphic laptop skin designer, Lily Pang: the Peony and Butterfly laptop skin.


Peony detailed laptop sleeve in Swarovski Crystals.

Lollia Peony and White Lily Shea Butter Hand Cream.

Save the Date stamps.

Julia Knight Peony cake plate.

Red Peony accent plate.

Vietri Peony Dinnerware.


Lotus Tree Peony Fabric.


Phoenix and Peony Tray.


Peony print lined coat.


Peony wedding invitation.