Colours of Floral Design

BY JAMIE HENGARTNER OWNER, RYLEA BLOOM

The pink PEONY pay-off

There is a saying that goes something like “you can’t give what you don’t have”. When it comes to the pursuit of love, kindness, happiness, friendliness, or even compassion I couldn’t agree more. After all, how can you love someone unconditionally if you don’t love yourself first? How can you be compassionate to others if you can’t be compassionate to your own needs? While I don’t have the answer to these million-dollar questions, I do have a flower for that: pink peonies.

Peonies are a fragrant flowering plant with huge round blooms, each with numerous delicate petals (most commonly pink) and have a very, very short growing season here in North America. Flower lovers patiently wait 10 long months for the first bloom to arrive in May. By the end of June, they are gone. Was it worth it? Totally. So worth it that we’re willing to wait another long 10 months in anticipation of seeing those coveted fragrant blooms once again. It is this lifecycle that makes pink peonies the quintessential reminder of how a long-term investment is required to experience a healthy and steady return. If you put in the time and effort, it will pay-off. Every time you see a pink peony, it’s a reminder to believe.

Pink peonies symbolize love and prosperity. It’s no wonder why pink peonies (or any pink flower for that matter) are commonly used for weddings and other celebratory events. From a floral design perspective, including pink peonies in arrangements throughout May and June is an absolute must. Like a chef capitalizing on the seasonality of texture, aroma and flavour, floral designers have the same luxury with peonies. It is a seasonal treat.

Giving someone a bouquet of pink peonies, or even a single stem, is a sentimental way of showing your compassion. Keeping in mind the saying “you can’t give what you don’t have”, the gift also conveys the message that you care for yourself and are therefore authentically in a position to be compassionate toward your loved ones.

Never underestimate the power of gifting these blooms to yourself. In the ultimate show of self-care and self-love, experiencing the presence of pink peonies on your kitchen table, for instance, demonstrates and reminds you to love yourself. When you can do that, you are increasing your ability to love others wholly and unconditionally. Who wouldn’t want a reminder like that? It is beautiful, it is fluid and it doesn’t criticize or lecture you as you pursue new paths!

Consider pink peonies in your workplace to keep negative energy at bay

Finally, consider pink peonies in your workplace to keep negative energyat bay. Pink peonies are great to stare at when you can’t concentrate. Takea mindfulness moment and just stare. Keep a vase on your desk and fillit with pink blooms when you need a boost. Let Mother Nature’s beautyserve as a reminder of what is possible, or more specifically what youcan produce, when you believe. If you are in front of a computer all day,especially if you are in a creative role, often the pink blooms can serve asinspirational colour. Why not include a pink font, image, or backgrounddetail in your next presentation? It is rarely done. It’s very unique. Giventhe right topic, incorporating pink into that important presentation orreport (or even your shirt, socks or tie) can convey just the right amountof calmness, compassion, and diplomacy you need to execute successfully.

Pink peonies pay off big time when you open your eyes to the symbolism they represent. Though their season may be short, it doesn’t mean their effects have to be. It is all up to your interpretation and willingness to believe in yourself and persevere.

Huge ‘Coral Charm’ peony in the centre, surrounded by pink ‘Hermosa’ roses, purple stock and white tulips.