Peonies are the quintessential Mother’s Day flowers for bouquets that delight. My mom had rows of these growing under the apple tree, just behind my swing set. Such a treat. Peonies bloom prolifically in the spring and some varieties bloom into the summer. They last longer as cut flowers than they do as outdoor blooms, especially if it’s hot outside, but are spectacularly showy wherever they bloom.
Peonies are perennial so you plant them once and enjoy them for years. Click on the Organic Gardening “Topic” on the menu at right for the secret to having fresh peonies in your home all summer and fall, long after they’ve stopped blooming outdoors.
Rhododendrons are prolific in the wild. There are over 1,000 species of known natives, and hundreds more cultivated hybrid varieties. They can be found throughout the Americas and in Europe and Africa. They are non-deciduous (meaning evergreen) and bloom in a stunning array of colors beginning in the spring. Individual blossoms look spectacular floating in a bowl.
Photo @lisabforce
Lilacs are found in the wild in the western US, and are also widely cultivated.
Lilacs smell like mom to me. She passed away years ago, but whenever I bury my face in a lilac bush, she’s there. Hi Mom!