Is there anything more richly glamorous or lushly romantic than the overflowing blossoms of peonies? Although our plant and flower emporium in New York City is abounding with endless options, peonies are the spring flower that our designers always swoon over. With peony season right around the corner, we wanted to give our beloved friends and clients the inside scoop on the flower that sets all of our hearts at Starbright aflutter.
Adored throughout New York City as one of the most romantic flowers (inspired, perhaps by their ubiquitous presence in the NYC-based Gossip Girl tv show), peonies are also one of the longest-used flowers in Eastern cultures. Known as the “flowers of riches and honor” in China, the bloom has been crowned the “King of Flowers” in Japan, and it is easy to see why. Their unique and stunning beauty can leave anyone breathless, in bunches or as a single, perfect bloom.
Indeed, the history of peonies is as rich and varied as their blossoms. There are many wonderful myths about peonies and the origin of the flower. One of our favorites is that there was once a beautiful nymph named Paeonia, who Apollo flirted with. When Paeonia realized that Aphrodite was watching them, she flushed and Aphrodite turned her into a peony, imbuing the flower with bashfulness. Why Aphrodite turned Paeonia into a flower, we aren’t sure — but we are thrilled to have peonies as one of our most cherished blooms in New York City!
Peonies have long been associated with health and prosperity, so long, in fact, that water would be infused with the petals of peonies and drunk in the Middle Ages. Today, the petals are added to salads or beverages to add an unexpected, delightful floral essence. In England, children used to wear the root of the peony around their necks to ward off pain from teething. Peony seeds used to be swallowed to fend off nightmares, and while we hope it helped, we would imagine that a garden filled with peonies would do that, as well!
The generous bloom can range in size anywhere from 2 – 10 inches. While we must admit that we adore peonies when they are on the larger end of the spectrum, there is something particularly enchanting about the smaller peonies and how they infuse a bouquet with their precious intricacy.
Peonies are like no other flower to be found anywhere in New York City. The depth and variation of their hues alone are enough to make Starbright’s designers wax poetic all season long. Traditional peonies range in color from the purest white to soft pinks, charming rose-colored and decadent reds. Today, we’re seeing an expansion of color offerings, including the endlessly fascinating coral, rich purples, deep mahogany and happy yellows. While we love all of the tints of colors that peonies come in, there is something so classically beautiful about peonies in pink that will always take our breath away.
We are thrilled to announce that with the start of peony season, there will be a new and dynamic section of the Starbright website that will be catering specifically to your peony whims. Of course, we’ll keep you updated on these exciting developments and hope that as peonies begin to bloom, so will your adoration of these truly incredible flowers.
Starbright Floral Design is a full-service florist located in Midtown NYC that has been brightening New York City for over two decades with flowers, plants and more.
It is our distinct pleasure to be of service to you in creating stunning floral compositions that will make you smile.
We are delighted to be able to carefully deliver each creation through our fleet of dedicated floral concierges in Manhattan, all of New York City and beyond.
In NYC, where anything is possible, we offer same-day delivery for our friends and clients to ensure that when want to send your wishes with flowers, orchids, plants and so much more, we are there to answer the call.
We invite you to visit us online or in our store, which you will find is bursting with flowers and delight in being of service to you. We would be thrilled to make your floral dreams come true!
Warm regards from all of us at Starbright, “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps”.
Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations – It is what we do!
Starbright Floral Design
140 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001
Blooming Thoughts 