Not Ready to Say Goodbye to Peonies

I adore peonies. I love their colors, their texture, and their scent — sometimes. The coral varieties can be a little stinky, if we’re being honest. Turns out my bees love peonies too, which makes me love them even more!

Peonies are such wonderful event flowers because they bring so much to an arrangement: big blooms, soft layers, interesting texture, and that unmistakable presence. They’re beloved by gardeners, and by florists alike.

One question I get asked often is: “How do I actually style peonies once I have them?”

The good news is that peonies do a lot of the work for you. They don’t need to be fussed over too much to feel special. A few well-placed stems, some filler, and a little greenery can turn into something full and beautiful pretty quickly.

That’s part of what we’ll be playing with this Friday at our peony arranging class with Stella J Designs in Pleasant Hill. Tickets can be found here!

I’ll share a little about growing peonies here in Iowa, what makes them such a special crop for our farm, and why the season always feels like it comes and goes too quickly. Then Franklin from Stella J Designs will walk everyone through creating a seasonal arrangement, with tips on placement, balance, and making the flowers feel finished without overworking them.

We’ll provide the flowers, vase, supplies, instruction, and some light and tasty nibbles. No floral experience is needed — just a willingness to enjoy the process and spend an evening with some really beautiful flowers.

Peony season always feels far too short to me. Since I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to these blooms yet, spending an evening arranging them together feels like a pretty wonderful way to celebrate the season while it lasts. I'm so excited for you to join us!