2017

Peonies are Still in Marvellous Blooms

Peonies are among the summer's most beloved flowers, showing their magnificence in June and July. These beautiful treasures are popular not only among gardeners; motifs of this flower are also to be found in interior design, glamorous chaplets, ornaments and clothing.

The Peony Festival, which was held in Latvia's State Forests (LVM) Kalsnava Arboretum on 18 June, is proof that these ornamental shrubs have convincingly conquered hearts of people. The festival is over, but peonies keep blooming with all of their splendour.

The peony is a perennial shrub with dense flowers. It is the only representatives of the Paeonia family, which is found in wildlife in many different places all over the world - from East Siberia and Mongolia to France, Northern Italy and Crete. The growing conditions of peonies can vary dramatically - they may be spotted in both flat meadows and in mountains up to four kilometres in height.

According to Laima Zvejniece, "LVM Sēklas un stādi" (LVM Seeds and Plants) Nursery Deputy Director for Production, this year's flowering of peonies was delayed due to continuous spring frost. "Peonies were, in this respect, of great endurance; however, top leaves of some varieties caught some frost in the spring. Cold nights and the slow arrival of spring prevented the growth of peonies, and the flowering of buds was also delayed.  However, it has its benefit - peonies are blooming longer," says the expert.

Asked about the most popular peony varieties in Latvia, Laima Zvejniece mentions the data of a survey conducted by the well-known Latvian collector and peony breeder Aldonis Vēriņš: "Intersection group peony variety Bartzella with citrus-yellow flowers was found to be the most popular. It should be noted that the yellow peonies were something people had never seen before, and this wonderful colour is still very, very popular. The yellow peony is followed by peony varieties Carol, Lorelei and Red Charm, which are also widely spread in Latvia."

Peonies are not only used for ornamental purposes. Their broad and branched tuber roots are also used in folk medicine to treat, for example, epilepsy, liver problems, asthma, migraine and other health disorders. Scientists are also looking for new ways to expand the use of this plant in modern medicine.

There are countless stories about the origin of peonies, and legends about it originate in ancient China. The spirit of peonies who had taken the shape of a woman brought the flower to earth. Unfortunately, the love of the woman and her husband was not fortunate and, trying to escape from her husband’s anger, she took her two children to the world of spirits, leaving only two charming peony flowers behind her. Today, this magnificent ornamental shrub has the status of the Chinese national flower and it is traditionally presented by husbands to their wives on the 12th wedding anniversary.

Although peonies are beloved all over the world and stories about them come from different exotic lands, this flower is no less popular in Latvia. In her Fairy Tales about Flowers, Latvian writer Anna Sakse has devoted a beautiful and breathtaking story to this flower.

For more information on purchasing, planting and taking care of peonies, visit the Embassy of Latvia's State Forests - Information Centre at 1 Vaiņodes Street, in Riga.