There aren’t many pure joy-filled moments presently, these lockdowns have seen to that, but this week I went to Little Budds Peony Farm in Kent, which has a beautiful display of more than 50 varieties of peonies – from coral, pink and blush to white, yellow and dark red. This was peonies in all colours of the rainbow and it was fabulous.
When you think of peonies do you automatically picture the large globular shaped head with layers and layers of pale pink petals? You know the ones that Instagrammers have gone nuts for over the years. Well, Little Budds Peony Farm is here to educate everyone on not only the vast colour options, hello yellow, but also the variations in blooms, from ruffled, pompom-like centres to two-tone styles and huge papery soft blooms.
For some, peonies have too short a season. Flowering for just a few weeks in May and June, with an even shorter vase life span, once cut they generally last around five days. However, there is something romantic and beautiful about their magical colour-changing petals and blousey appearance.
Are you team peony?
I have to be honest, I’ve enjoyed buying a bunch or two of peonies over the years, but growing them in the garden has never appealed. Maybe it was the short season, the talk of how long they take to get going, or the fact that I was probably more team rose and dahlia. Visiting Little Budds Peony Farm has made me think twice, especially as I came away with two varieties and fell hard for a third, which sadly they weren’t selling.
First off, who knew peonies came in colours other than pink. I know probably everyone right, but I was really surprised to see yellow and dark red. When I think of peonies I think bridal, so pale pink, white and coral comes to mind. There was a yellow beauty called Bartzella in the most stunning summery yellow with fabulously frilly flowers. If the colour and form weren’t enough, the lemony fragrance was just as wonderful, and the owners at Peony Farm said they make excellent cut flowers.
Let me introduce you to the Etched Salmon peony
The peony that stopped me in my tracks was Etched Salmon with its salmon-pink double rose-type flowers. The petals had a ruffle-like effect and the colour is just stunning with a kind of glow about it. Can you see how the petals seem to get lighter towards the end? Just so romantic. There is also a uniqueness about this peony, with its distinctive notches on the inner petals and a touch of yellow. It also has gorgeous dark green leaves and a delicate light fragrance.
Apparently, this beauty is rare, of course, it is, as I love it. Rare means expensive, but I did find it as a bare root at Claire Austin for £24 to be delivered between October and February, which I am very tempted to buy.
Peonies are better in shades of pink
While I loved the yellow and red, my heart belongs to the pink and coral beauties. For beautiful pale pink and showy you can’t go wrong with Sarah Bernhardt or Shirley Temple. Want a two-toned beauty I adore Gay Paree Peony (see above) with vibrant pink outer petals with pale pink, white, cream and yellow petals in the centre or the Lauren Peony with large pink petals and spiky yellow stamens. For large, vibrant and fragrant, I went for the Alexander Fleming – it’s a peony that just wants to be sniffed as it smells beautiful.
When it comes to coral, it might be hard to choose between Coral Sunset and Coral Charm. Both are beautiful, both can change colour, but my heart belongs to the sunset variety that turns from coral to peach to yellow and eventually white.
I really do think it is the transformational beauty of a peony that makes it such an incredible flower. Not only can the bud open up to three times its size but it can change colour. A slice of flower magic. The fact that it is short-lived makes peonies even more special I think.
Open days at Little Bubbs Peony Farm
As I’ve said peony season isn’t long, but wonderful when they are in bloom. Little Bubbs Peony Farm has open days in June and it is well worth a visit. Check out their website for dates and sign up for their newsletter to be the first to know next year. The setting really is wonderful in the heart of the Kent countryside and it is beautiful wandering down the rows of different peonies. Find a new favourite, buy potted peony plants for your garden as well as bunches of cut flowers.
Little Budds Farm, Coldblow Lane, Thurnham, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3LR
