Peony - A symbol of richness, honor, bashfulness, prosperity and perseverance, will now symbolize joy for me

Whilst the peony is called the King of Flowers in China, it is also considered mischievous and bashful, life giving and graceful. A symbol of perseverance. 

Most commonly a herbaceous perennial, it can also can share much with us humans about our loves, lives, hopes and despair. About our struggles and victories, that are perennial beyond our own lifespan.

The peony is a temperate plant that can help in tempering our reactions to it, and to life. 

Watch the photos taken with an iPhone and macro lens, by Charlie and me.

Read the words too, they might make sense. They are inspired by peonies we had in our life. 

Charlie and I planted upwards of 60 peonies at the farm in Hebron. 

Herbaceous, tree, and, ITOH peonies.  Spending a small fortune on these wondrous flowers, my favorite floral specimen.

Parting with them is difficult, but knowing that another might enjoy their brilliance; the peerless sweet scent, the arresting beauty of the flowers that change form by the hour when in bloom; bask in the glory of their color, form and shape; gives me comfort. 

The mud room entrance (side entrance) to our home, that brings people into the kitchen, is the access into our home that everyone uses. There are three other front doors, but none really get used as much. 

Having had five entrances into our one home, and writing of peonies, makes me realize as to how we have only one heart, and yet we hardly ever open its door.

When we open our hearts door, it is a side entrance that we give some access to. Keeping the main door shut tight. Afraid to give what we consider too sacred to share, due to fears real or imaginary. 

But back to peonies, and to that entrance on the side of the house, by the kitchen. It is here that we have our herb garden. Placed to give me quick access to them when I cook, which was most of the time. Thus we planted peonies here to sweeten our time outdoors in early summer. 

Pink, white, sweet scented, abundant with flowers, dramatic to behold, elegant in form, bashful in their presence. Peonies are engaging and inspiring at once. 

Charlie and I wanted these flowers right there by the herb garden, so in season, we would enjoy their brilliance several times daily. We also wanted all our guests to be blessed with their sweet scented beauty. 

Watching a peony sprout from ground, and go from bud to flower, is the most beautiful and trying experience.

Not unlike raising a child, if all I am told by parents is true. 

There are hopes and wants, there are wonderful moments to enjoy at every step of the way, till the flower opens, and even after it begins to fade. 

One challenge is the form of the plant, how it shoots up, and what form and shape it takes and if that will sustain it for its best growth and production.

The placement of the plant another concern.  Will there be other plants shadowing its leaves? That can change the flowering pattern and its profusion of flowers. 

There are drainage issues and those of dew drops and humidity. They add to the plants weight. It needs help for that, but it doesn't like being choked either. It wants to be free, but not laden with water, as then fungus can create issues.

There is the sweet nectar outside the flower, and the ants that come greedily visiting. Causing trouble for those that want to get up close and personal with the peony.

Of course then there is the anticipation, and the wait, which sometimes can be too long, especially for the impatient ones.

But patience is what the game is about. Its rewards are well worth it. 

The early stages of the peony flower, as it goes from bud to bloom, are as precious and joyous as a human journey from birth to the teens and into the college years.

How and what the form it might take, can be as unpredictable as the patterns of behavior of kids, and the unexpected outcomes that their lives lead them to, and present to parents. 

Few if any predictions might hold true of a plant and its shape and form from year to year. As the loves and lives of children change in a protean way, so too can the form and shape of a peony change with weather, humidity, heat, and the wind. Guarantees are best left for other indulgences in life.

A peony ought to be enjoyed for its own journey. 

It might be a mystery as to what the flower might become, it might know not itself what it will be.

But there is certainty that it will be showy like a peacock, even if for a fraction only. Like the peacock, it will do that flashy dance in full glory. We need to be there to see it as it unfurls, petal after petal. 

What is always a guarantee, is a flower that will seduce, delight, please, inspire, charm and, alter ones mind and mood without fail. 

It is when the flower has opened, that one gets to see the full beauty of the peony. Layered brilliance that is discovered at each and every glance that one gives a peony flower. 

Depending on the flower, time of day, position of the sun, shadows cast by it and by other trees and structures around, the mischief done by visiting busy bees, the wind, humidity in the air, and the temperature fluctuations of the season - the petals can take on new shape, form, and color.

As a peony opens, the awkward, confident, cocky, bashful or unpredictable teenager comes of age, shows color and shape. As varied and rich with discoveries to share as us humans.

 

The more one studies a flower, the more one notices its many layered structure of form and substance. Petal by petal, peel by peel, one understands the flower better. Just as a human is rendered better exposed as they get understood and they honestly share of themselves, so too, a peony.  

 

One might never know how and what truly makes the peony and a human blush rich pink, or seem tired limp, or stoic and uptight, but one can make assumptions, one can have inklings. Be they true, or just conjecture - that is a rich mystery.  

 

A peony is a study of staggering depth and nuanced complexity. 

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It is a revelation of deep unparalleled beauty. More complex than the rose. Far less appreciated too, at least in the world West of China. 

Towards the last stage of the life of a peony, it lays itself bare and exposed. An open book in a floral form. 

 

An unabashed sensibility is what it fashions. Often in need to be held and supported, to be better appreciated. It seems daring and bold. Having weathered every storm and vicissitude of its journey, it seems unafraid. 

 

They become mirrors of our human souls and lives.

 

It starts showing a "been there, done that" attitude. Becoming carefree after having lived with eyes wide open, or closed ones that were opened rudely, after being shocked by reality. 

 

At this stage the peony takes on an informality of being. More collegial and less self involved.

 

Bees need not fight and struggle to get inside it, it opens itself to them. Showing grace and losing selfishness that had occupied its early days, as it struggled to survive. 

 

It remains a graceful flower, even having lost some of the elegance of shape and form that were the hallmarks of its youth. 

 

Instead of being a reflection of peacocks that show off their plumage when needing something, it shares its beauty, not looking for selfish gain.

 

As the flowers fade, they leave us with lasting memories.

 

Not much in need of care at this stage, it gives others incomparable joy and pleasure. 

 

Leaving behind 60 plus peonies at the farm, could well be a heartbreaking moment. But it is only that, but a moment in Charlie and my journey. 

 

Some friends suggested we dig them up and offer them to friends to take them away to their homes. Where they would find new home, give new pleasure, and give us more glimpses into their beauty, and that which they inspirit onto others. 

 

Both Charlie and I felt they needed to be left where they were planted. Giving the flora, fauna and humans that inhabit the farm next, the same pleasures, and surely different ones from what we had enjoyed. 

 

The happiness they give is uniquely theirs. The pleasure might be interpreted and appreciated differently by different others. 

 

What will be our joy, and unmistakably so, is knowing that they are where they were planted, living and thriving even as our chapter with them has come to an end. 

 

Joy and happiness are two very different pleasures.

 

Happiness comes when we reach milestones set by us and those we allow into our hearts, minds and lives.

 

Joy comes when we are able to celebrate the happiness of others. When we lean to appreciate sadness, cry and laugh, give and share, without even having physical connections, or any tangible transactions in that process from which we glean happy joy, or to that which we mourn, or for those reasons we are. Joy is that ability to be happy for others whilst we might be sad, and care for others even when we are far removed from them. Joy begins where happiness ends. 

 

As we bring this chapter of our life to a close, it is fitting that the peony is the last of the flowers that we shall see bloom in full vigor. 

 

Our time at the farm was sweetened by the peonies beyond my ability to share, and give form to in words.

 

As we leave, peonies have exposed truth to our senses and left us rich with hope and joy.