The greatest gift the pandemic gave me (other than a hybrid work schedule) was the ability to watch my garden come to life right before my eyes when Spring rolls around.
Oh sure, I'd come home and maybe be surprised that something had bloomed because I wasn't here to notice when the buds started appearing.
But during lockdown, I was able to look up from my work to notice that buds were forming on the rose bushes. Or that the iris was getting ready to push out their beautiful blooms. Or that the peonies were on the cusp of sharing their beauty.
Quick aside - how do you pronounce peony? I (and Merriam Webster) pronounce it pee-UH-nee; but others in my circle insist on pee-OH-nee. Just curious. You can say it however you want; but I maintain that mine (and Merriam's) pronouncement is the correct one
Last week, I vented my frustration to my husband at the fact I needed to go into the office at all that week because my favorite peony was THIS close to blooming. Geez, you would think that alone would be a valid excuse to stay home. Not according to HR, sadly.
Though one bloom did open before I got home on Thursday, it wasn't fully open. But I clipped it and brought it in for me to admire every time I walked by the kitchen counter.
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| It literally takes my breath away. |
I am pleased to report there are even more blooms just waiting to burst out and share their beauty with me. And it's official, I AM OBSESSED with this plant.
Hi Gigi -- Thanks for popping by my blog today. I love peonies too -- one of my most favourite "heritage flowers," as they are called today. But here in Canada, peonies won't be in full bloom for another month. And by the way, I agree with your pronunciation!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Debra! Yes, our pronunciation is the correct pronunciation. Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeleteI pronounce peony the same way that you do. We, obviously, know what is what! I do love those flowers, but don't have a bush here.
ReplyDelete[Also, if this goes through, I've been having difficulties getting my comments to post.]
The comment came through; are the various blogging platforms not playing nice?
DeleteI'm obsessed too! What a beautiful peony! I love the colour. I love this part of spring where everything is just exploding. I don't have peonies in my yard but there are a lot in the neighbourhood. We are way behind you though, blooming season isn't for another month yet.
ReplyDeleteYes, the part of spring where everything just explodes is my favorite too. Well, my allergies don't like it as much...
DeleteGorgeous!!!! We used to have peonies (I pronounce it the same way you do) and I LOVED them. Such gorgeous blooms. But the blossoms were always too heavy for their stalks and so as soon as they bloomed the plants looked messy and awful. So we got rid of them. But it makes me sad, to this day, when I see a beautiful peony in the wild (or on a blog).
ReplyDeleteI am not content to let the blooms lie in the bed; as soon as they start to tilt I'm out there with my clippers to bring them indoors. But I have that same issue with day lilies. They are pretty in the beginning but by mid-summer they just look so raggedy. I'm thinking of just taking them out altogether and finding something else.
DeleteGigi, peonies are my absolute favorites! Not only are they lush, they smell like heaven! Thanks for sharing! The only place I know to get them is at Central Market! They do have great floral department. Mona
ReplyDeleteThey are a favorite of mine; this one in particular.
DeletePEE-uh-nee is how I pronounce it, and I love them. Sadly, my husband cannot abide them due to his allergies, so I can't bring any in the house (or any lovely spring flowers at all). What I sacrifice for love is truly painful.
ReplyDeleteShow him this comment to remind him of your sacrifice! ;-)
DeleteHappy Mother's Day (belated)! Peonies are one of my favorite flowers! That is absolutely stunning. The previous owners planted some in our yard, but they were in an undesirable location. We attempted to transplant them to the backyard two years ago, but only two survived.
ReplyDeleteThat is a shame that only two survived. A lot of the plants in our yard were planted in the wrong location (in a shady spot but needed sun, etc.). It's taken a long time but we are slowly getting things where they should be or removed completely. Anything that gets transplanted gets a lot of extra love to try to save them...doesn't always work though.
DeleteI love peonies too. I don't have any at this house, but I had some at my first house. My mom always had peonies and my grandma was really good at growing them. She used a few stakes and a string so that they wouldn't lay on the ground then they bloomed. Happy belated Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteNow there's a thought; I hadn't thought about staking them. Maybe next year...this year I'm just bringing in the blooms as they bloom.
DeleteYou should be granted extra pay to stay home just to watch that! ð
ReplyDeleteI say pee-UH-nee, but I also say the loveliest flowers ever!
Thank you! I knew you'd be on my side regarding Peony Watch.
DeleteBeautiful flowers! I like the idea of you noticing the small developments more because you're home.
ReplyDeleteI pronounce it PEA-uh-nee, not sure where I got that, though.
I never realized just how much I was missing until I stayed home! A lot apparently. I'm sure how someone pronounces something is greatly affected about what they heard growing up.
DeleteI pronounce it both ways - I just can't commit!!
ReplyDeleteBut I ALWAYS call it p-AH-sta, not p-AW-sta for pasta. And presen-tation not "pre-zen-tation" for presentation.
Well, both ways do sound correct, so I can see why you can't commit! I think pronunciation just boils down to however you were taught to say it. Neither is wrong necessarily, just different.
DeleteWell, since you live in the south everyone here (including me growing up) pronounce it the incorrect way. I have since learned the correct way...which in my opinion sounds better! Your peonies are beautiful!! Enjoy them!!
ReplyDeleteThose flowers are beautiful and I do love springtime when all of the flowers start to bud and flourish! I don't know how I pronounce it; I think pee-uh-nee, but you know how it goes when you try to say it out loud and you confuse yourself!? It's like "route," I think I say roo-t (not rowt) but every time I try to think about it the words get twisted in my head.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy it is to see a garden grow. Good for you !
ReplyDeleteMy peonies are not yet in the marshmallow stage. I will post pictures when they open though. I have dark pink, light pink, and yellow (two varieties). And I say it both ways, mainly depends on who I am talking to... if it's one of my immature men who will giggle over the "Pee-UH-nee" being so close it Pee and Penis, then it's totally said Pee-OH-nee. Our yard is totally coming alive... makes me kind of want to go back out on medical leave.
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