It's springtime, which means flowers are blooming in full force. Apart from gardens, the best place to display nature's treasures is in the home, and no one does it better than Ina Garten.
The Barefoot Contessa, who often shares her flower bouquets on Instagram, recently posted an arrangement of rich, red peonies in a glass vase – a spring staple that has us itching to get some of our own and display them on kitchen countertops or dining room tables.
Although peonies are a popular flower choice year-round, they are in season from April to July, reaching their peak from mid-May to the end of June. Experts say that now is the perfect time to introduce these delicate flowers into the home.
'As spring rolls on, more and more flowers begin to produce brilliant blooms,' says Homes & Gardens' Gardens Content Editor Thom Rutter. 'One perennial that is ever popular with expert and amateur gardeners alike is peonies, famed for their large, romantic blooms.'
Peonies are both dramatic and demure, making them an all-arounder for the home; they make a statement on a table but are not so voluminous that they become a distraction.
'Peonies are one of the most popular flowering plants, and while they only flower for a short time from late spring to early summer, learning how to grow peonies is recommended for those gardeners who want to add something special to their yard,' Rutter says. 'What's more, as Ina's photo shows, peonies make great cut flowers that can add impact to a vase indoors.'
Thomas is a Content Editor within the Gardens Team at Homes and Gardens. He has been working as a gardener and garden writer for several years. Whilst completing his Horticultural Traineeship at the Garden Museum, London, he was able to gain experience at many of the UK's world-famous gardens, including Sissinghurst, Lowther Castle, and Iford Manor. Following this, he worked for two private estates in Tuscany, Italy.
We love Garten's bold red variety, but Rutter mentions that there are lots of color options for peonies.
'Peony blooms range in color from white to deep burgundy, and most varieties have an attractive fragrance,' Rutter says. 'In addition, these perennials are popular plants for pollinators, often seen humming with activity in the springtime. So, for any gardener looking for dramatic, romantic blooms, I would recommend planting a peony this year.'
A paler color, such as white or light pink, can be highly complementary against a darker kitchen, while darker varieties add a pop to neutral spaces.
Below, find a beautiful peony variety that looks great in any indoor space (but of course, we're starting with our living room, the way Barefoot Contessa would intend, after all).
