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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Tuesday Tip

Pretty in pink!  I really love peonies and just had to post them once more before the season is over.  I spoke a little about their history and tips for cutting and dealing with ants here.

I love a big bunch on the dining room table!

This past weekend I cut my second group to bloom, which are a common and beloved variety, Sarah Bernhardt. Below, in this first image the sun was bright and you can really see the vivid color and the other is just after a shower, the rain droplets still clinging to the leaves!



Another thing besides their beauty and fragrance that endears me to  peonies, is how easily they can be "arranged" in any type of vase or container.  Anyone can make a peony arrangement look good! This vase is one of my favorites...anyone recognize it or have it among their own collection?  I purchased it in 1996...from a favorite retailer...when they were mostly a mail order catalogue....just a few stores scattered across the US....but they were still called......Pottery Barn!

On the buffet under one of my favorite convex mirrors.

Every type of flower I have ever put in this vase looks beautiful.  Versatility is the key to saving time and money and this vase never disappoints. It also looks good no matter where I place it!  As far as the peony history, again I like the rustic element of the black iron cage surrounding the more refined element of  blown glass.  The arrangement started out in the dining room and then settled here in the living room:

Or right next to the best seat in the house!

Tiny tip:  just for fun, snip the tiny emerging buds and put them in miniture glass vases. So simple and sweet for maybe a silver tray on your bathroom vanity, on top of a favorite pile of books, or next to someone's breakfast dishes for a pretty start to the day!

32 comments:

  1. I am so jealous of everyone's peonies! We had a late frost so ours have not popped yet and they may have past their popping point. We may have to wait until next year! I love how you arranged them in your vintage :) Pottery Barn vase. They look gorgeous! Thanks for the ant tip too!

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  2. Sarah Bernhardt still knows how to perform! Beautiful. I had one of these in our other house and loved its perfume, its beauty and its ethereal quality.

    I love your tip and may just run outside and take a few snips.

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  3. Your pictures are dreamy! Beautiful! One day I will plant peonies in my yard, but for now, I need to wait until they go on sale at whole foods :)
    Thanks for the tip!

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  4. So pretty. I love your vase too, and the horse drawing and......

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  5. My pink peonies are just opening, too! And now I have vases of them all over the house! Come by today to see a party I had with Eddie Ross!

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  6. Cute idea with the smaller buds. Will have to try it out once I add peonies to my garden beds. They didn't make the cut this spring, but will get them in the ground asap.

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  7. Love the idea for the buds, as I always have a few that just NEVER open, for some reason. Now I can still showcase those as well as the open beauties! Mine are about to burst forth, any day! My first encounter with Pottery Barn was back in the early 90's when my brother was living in Santa Barbara and I went to visit. It sang to me, then, and still does. Great vase! xx P&H

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  8. Oh Soooo pretty!!!
    I so love the Sarah Bernhardt!!
    I was searching today on Belgian websites to order them for next autumn, so that I can plant them in the month of October! I am jealous of yours!! Hi hi!
    xx
    Greet

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  9. I'm so jealous - they don't grow out here in LA at least I was told so I had to find rose bushes that looked like peonies David Austins Mary Rose and Heritage. I'm so jealous - they look stunning. Ann

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  10. Beautiful! I'm in Northern California, which is not the easiest climate to grow peonies...but always manage to get several dozen out of the garden. Sarah Bernhardt is one of my absolute favorites. I could almost cry just looking at her incredible blooms. Thanks you for the show! Trish

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  11. Love that vase...just the right touch of rustic! I think peonies look perfect everywhere and these look great!

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  12. I'm wild about peonies and yours are just beautiful. I meant to plant some this year and didn't get around to it. Maybe next year!

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  13. The Peony is truely perfection. Lovely.

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  14. Beautiful arrangement, Rebecca! I really hope to plant some of my own peonies for next year (or is it too hot in Texas....??).

    Have a wonderful long weekend -- off tomorrow for vacation (yippee!).

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  15. I love that vase, and peonies of course!

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  16. So lovely! I wait every year for my peonies to bloom and to have them in different vases... NOW!
    Great pictures!

    XX
    Victoria

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  17. Your peonies are stunning. My daughter wanted those in her wedding, but they were out of season and would have cost a fortune to have shipped in. I love the mirror and sconce I see in the photo.

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  18. So pretty! You do have a way with making everything bloom!

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  19. Gosh Peonies have to be my all time favorite flower! They are magnificent! Please come and link up to my Centerpiece Wednesday party with this beautiful post. We would love to have you on there...just link back somewhere in your post if you would

    Karin :}

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  20. Gorgeous vase and painterly peonies. The German painter, Emil Nolde, would have loved to paint them;-)

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  21. Fresh cut peonies - you lucky girl! I will have to get some at the Farmer's Market this afternoon.

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  22. sweet pink peonies or roses just take my breath away! love the way you arranged them. glad i found your blog via pemberly style, enjoyed my visit here and will be your new follower. verbena cottage

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  23. my absolute favorite flowers on earth.
    and there is absolutely NO WAY to grow them in south florida!!!

    thanks for the treat!

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  24. I love peonies too - my friend calls the "pee own knees" pronounced that way - different isn't it? I especially like the fuscia ones and I want to pick up some soon. I have to replace the sandles my dog Autumn ate first - I'm down to 2 pair of good ones and flip flops but then I'm almost off for summer break. Lol, Jennifer jennsthreegraces

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  25. My first blossom opened up today -- also a sarah bernhart, LOVE IT!

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  26. Great Blog!! I am crazy about Peonies!! I have them all over the house!! The smell is amazing!! Best, Connie

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  27. Renee is right, no way to grow them in any climate that gets so so hot, like Texas. But we love them & maybe just a teeny bit jealous of those of you who are lucky enough to cultivate & enjoy them for yourself. Thank you for sharing. xx's

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  28. Okay, this is one I'm putting on my list to plant next year. Would love to have these beautiful bouquets in my house.

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  29. so beautiful rebecca!!! your flowers are always so HUGE & beautiful!
    xoxo

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