06/09/2026
Peony
We are at peak peony bloom time in southwest Wisconsin. A gardeners delight and a wedding staple for June.
And here is the caveat. They are blooming everywhere and seem abundant and easy to get. This is true for your table vase.
Blooms used for special events are treated differently. Timing is everything. Cutting them at different stages either hold the bloom time or push it. Holding water and ambient temperature impact flower opening too. Sometimes we want a blown open, showy moment, knowing this is a lesson in fleeting beauty and being present in our experiences. Sometimes we want a billowing puffy flower that has yet to open completely and holds the promise of our tomorrow.
I call this the Vegas style floral experience. Storms this week? Hail? Extreme heat? Heads too tight, too open and the wedding is this week, next week?
I am fortunate to partner with local growers who know their business. They know the right time to disbud, harvest, hold, preserve, cull and release.
The peonies you see might be everywhere but they aren't the ones in this bouquet. This has been carefully curated for 2 weeks, in the field and the studio This is why peonies are premium blooms.
For Angelica Bautista
Happy Hills Flower Farm
