The Summer Solstice is upon us here in the northern hemisphere and with the warm, long days and ample rain, my garden is exuberantly blooming. Peonies (Paeonia lactiflora) have burst forth this week and were the obvious choice for this week’s vase.
Peony
Korean dogwood (Cornus kousa) and Baptisia (B. australis) compliment the peonies. Since two out of the three come from Asia, my prop is an Origami lotus that was given to me just today.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In the Garden, who hosts a weekly meme to showcase arrangements created from our gardens. Wander over to see what gardeners all over the world are arranging this week.
Eliza Waters 
I’ve always liked peonies. As a kid, I remember peeling the petals off of the round flowers before they bloomed. Also, I remember the ants on the plant stems. Odd what memories we keep.
I expect your elders didn’t care for your bud-pealing! I think the ants were interesting to all of us curious kids.
Beautiful!!! 🌸💖🌸💖🌸. Peonies makes me think of vintage delicate feminine beauty 💖🌷💖🌷
Thank you, Trini. They have such lush beauty, a very feminine flower, for sure!
I love peonies! So fluffy like a visual hug of beauty!
Oh, wonderful metaphor! I love it – thank you!
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
Thank you for reblogging!
Another flower we don’t have in UK! That lilac one is enchanting!
Baptisia is another southeastern US native, but I expect it has found its way to UK nurseries. It sows easily from seed and has numerous hybrids ranging from white, yellow, burnt orange to blue and purple.
I will have to find some somewhere!
Mmmm, delicious peonies! Love the Baptisia too. You certainly are catching up with us now! I think my last peony buds might never open as the heat has been too much for them.
Thank you, Cathy. Yes, rainy, cool May has given way and now that it is warmer, we are seeing leaps of growth. Stay cool!
“Rain” – lucky you! It has done a great job in supplying you with some gorgeous blooms. The peonies are perfect but the Cornus kousa is what sets off the whole arrangement for me.
Thank you, Christina. Yes, our weather is at opposites.
Wow Eliza, your arrangement is absolutely stunning. I thought the Baptisia was a late-flowering Wisteria at first the way it hangs, does it grow like this or does it droop so artfully after cutting?
Thank you, no the Baptisia was pushed over by rain, so I figured it might add some interest. I also thought it looked a bit like wisteria!
That’s great how you turned adversity into a virtue!
Rain how wonderful….where in the northern hemisphere? I love the combination of colours and lovely fullness of the Peonies…a rather soft sweet vase of sugar almond colours. Reminds me of paintings of ladies in the 18th century.
Thank you, Noelle. I’m in New England. Peonies do have such feminine beauty. I love them and wish they weren’t so fleeting, but it is a good excuse to cut loads to bring into the house to enjoy!
Your peonies are spectacular Eliza, and that Baptisia is perfect with them.
Thank you, Susie!
So beautiful!
Thank you, Carrie!
Beautiful! Alas my Peonies are over for this year so it is a pleasure to enjoy yours, even if it’s just visually.
Thank you, Linda. They are too fleeting!
Oh, my! A bouquet fit for a bride.
Yes, it is 🙂 Thanks, Laurie!
This is perhaps your most stunning arrangement yet, Eliza! I have peony envy. Love the dogwood mixed in.
Thank you, Cathy. I understand peony envy. 😉 You don’t have one planted in your yard? You must!
These always make me think of my Mom. 🙂
Sweet. My mom once let me take a bouquet to my first grade teacher. She only had one plant and loved them so much, so her generosity left an impression on me. I was so proud to carry them to school!
What a luxurious collection of soft colours – they work so well together and I love the little origami lotus flower. Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Cathy.
Peonies are so lovely. Very nice bouquet. (Suzanne)
Thank you, Suzanne. One of the glories of June!
Peonies are one of my favorites – just so lush and gorgeous. I finally got a couple peonies planted at the house. The garden is coming along slowly, but it’s coming along!
My peony patch has been prolific this year and I am cutting bunches to bring inside to stick my nose into every chance I get!
The peonies around here were gorgeous, but they all got stormed on and didn’t last as long as normal. It’s too bad, because very few flowers smell so amazing as a peony.
Just luscious! Kousa Dogwoods are a favorite of mine that I rarely see, so thank you. The blue, white and pink works so well together. Do the Dogwoods last in a vase?
Thank you, Amelia. I must admit I am loving this arrangement as peonies are something I wait all year for.
Yes, dogwoods do last quite well when cut. (Woody stems I splay to aid water uptake.)
I love it, too. The Peonies are worth whatever it takes. Dogwoods as well.
Reblogged this on Purplerays and commented:
My first love? Nature. I couldn’t live without my daily immersion, walking in the woods, visiting our waterfall or sitting by the river watching the birds going about their business. It is where I connect to the “peace which passes all understanding.”
~ Eliza Waters
Thank you for reblogging!
You went big for the Solstice, Eliza! All 3 floral elements are gorgeous but that spectacular pink peony makes my heart sing.
Thank you, Kris. I stop every time I go just to admire that perfect pink blossom and bury my nose in its wonderful scent. Pure love!
You have outdone yourself Eliza with that dogwood and baptisia added to the peonies….gorgeous!
Thank you very much, Donna!
Stunning!
Thank you so much!
How lovely, it doesn’t seem long ago that you had snow and now look at this! My eye was caught by the dogwood, subtly beautiful flowers.
Thank you, Alison. Yes, everything grows so fast. I can’t believe that we are already at mid-summer. Too fast!
i only recently discovered peonies – (Kew Gardens, on a visit to London in April). They’re like ruffled roses, i love their voluptuousness. Such a gorgeous flower arrangement.
Thank you, Liz. Peonies are one of my favorite flowers – I love to bury my nose in their soft, scented blossoms!
Such lovely soft, sweet colors in this one Eliza ❤
Thank you, Julie. Peonies are just the best! ❤
Peonies are such glamorous flowers, and the scent!!! it’s glorious. I love the way you put the bouquet together. The dogwood is a really nice touch.
Thank you, Lisa. I simply adore peonies!
Peonies give so much of a floral punch – such a gorgeous yet carefree, long-lived plant! Your arrangement is very soft and pretty.
Thank you, Peter!
Beautiful images! Beautiful flowers!
Thank you, Bela!
Oh, I love peonies! Gorgeous shots.
Thank you, Fi! Peonies are divine. 🙂
Lovely. I am jealous of your Baptista and C. kousa.
🙂 Thanks, Allison.
Wonderful treat for the eyes!
Thank you, Belinda!
You captured my heart with this one. I love peonies, and the dogwood is a wonderful addition. 🙂
Thank you, Judy!
What soft colors and and some of my favorite flowers. he dogwood is a beauty and I don’t know why I haven’t added on to this garden!
Our kousa is stunning this year even though it is only in part sun, looking down on it from the second floor is amazing. They really love full sun best, so if you get one, keep that in mind. Thanks for stopping by, Frank!
I love peonies and your flowers and photos are stunning!
Thank you very much!
My daughter and I just saw peonies in Trader Joe’s. The sign above them said, limit-four stems. We must have a shortage this year.
A very popular item!