The Peony is best known by its scientific name, Paeonia. This is only the name of the genus – individual varieties of Peony feature different individual Latin names. The Peony takes its name from the mythological Greek character Paeon, who studied with the god of medicine known as Asclepius. Zeus had to transform the student into a beautiful flower when he showed more promise than his teacher and incurred his wrath.
It’s the flower with the longest continual use in Eastern culture, and it’s tied in deeply with royalty and honour in those societies. The Chinese name for Peony even translates to “most beautiful”.
The plant is mainly grown by separating root masses and only sometimes by seed, so breeding can take years to advance even a few generations. Some types of Peony grow into taller trees with thick stems, while others stay short and in a shrub form. They all produce compact flowers featuring many layers of crimped petals for a beautifully lush look.
Peonies come in a wide range of colours, and the meaning the flower symbolises changes relatively little due to the shade or hue. However, there are a few colours that change what the Peony means, including:
- Pink: The most romantic form of Peony, making it the ideal colour for wedding bouquets and table arrangements
- White or Very Pale Pink: Focusing on the bashful aspect of the Peony’s meaning, making it a good choice for communicating your regret over embarrassing yourself or someone else.
- Deep Red: This colour is most prized in China and Japan, and has the strongest ties to honour and respect. It’s also the most symbolic of wealth and prosperity in those cultures.
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