My housekeeper Lily Mei and her family come to view the peonies
Last month I shared my peonies with many visitors at my farm. I must say that the peony bed is an amazing thing to see. My housekeeper, Lily Mei, asked if she could bring her family so that they, too, could enjoy the display. The peony, after all, is a traditional floral symbol of China and is used extensively in Chinese art. It is known as the flower of riches and honor and symbolizes wealth and distinction. I, of course, welcomed Lily's family and was amazed at how many arrived that day. We had a lovely time. Please enjoy these photos of my splendid peonies.
Such lush variety in your peony garden!
Many of my antique Chinese ink boxes are embellished with images of peonies. I'm sure your garden tour was a real treat for Lily's family.
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | June 30th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Peonies are my favorite, a real weakness when I am at a garden sale. I only have about six different varieties but I enjoy their blooms so! They make fabulous arrangements.
http://potsnpies.blogspot.com
Posted by: Clayvessel | June 30th, 2009 at 2:15 am
Lovely photos, amazing beautiful peonies!
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | June 30th, 2009 at 2:21 am
It looks like they had a wonderful time. How wonderful to be able to see your beautiful peonies first hand.
Posted by: Liz@VioletPosy | June 30th, 2009 at 4:51 am
Your peons look magnificent! Mine unfortunately are done for the year but they are so beautiful when they are here!
Posted by: Susie's Homemade | June 30th, 2009 at 7:33 am
What a lovely treat of photos and sharing! Lily's family must have loved that day.
My garden friend, neighbor and mentor, Victor --- in the condo community garden -- has the neatest rows of cucumber and tomatoes. At the center every year he has a pink peonies plant that grows to 4 to 5 feet tall. It blooms for June for his granddaughter's birthday. I am blessed by the luck of location that he and his lovely wife moved downstairs into my building years ago. In exchange for his expertise, we practice English phrases. His native tongue is Russian. Gardening is an ambassador!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | June 30th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Hello! Martha!
At first-read I thought I saw, 'Lily Mei and her family came to view the *ponies*!' I thought...Did Martha get ponies!?! How did I miss *that* one?
And 'Welcome!' Lily Mei, and Family...a great looking bunch!
Oh!, The PEONIES!!! Oh! My Sweet Lord!, Martha! Can't find an appropriate word to imply my feelings. I suppose there's a Chinese sentiment that would be fitting, but I don't know what it is...ask Lily.
Pic. #11 offered instant comfort at first sight. Also #s 23 and 28 are outstanding! And as always, your photography is superb!
Thanks Martha, for the 'Peony' ride!
Posted by: tinay | June 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am
As always...gorgeous peonies and lovely of you to share it with Lily and her family!
Posted by: sherey | June 30th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Hi Marta,
Really splendid. Thank you!
Posted by: Instalatorul | June 30th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Hi Martha,
Is that Lily in front in the pink top? She's not listed in names and also you have 20 names and only 19 people so I guess the camera person is the 20th. And no credit for Sharkey either; I couldn't find Franny.
I have never grown peonies but yours are beautiful and you have so many of them! Thanks for inviting us into your garden again. I hope you are enjoying France. It is one place I have always wanted to visit and England too. Be safe. Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 30th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Peonies are such wonderful giving plants and ask very little in return. As a child in an area of less than 90 day growing season, I wondered how my mother could grow such beautiful flowers.
Posted by: Margie | June 30th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Hi Martha,
I see we have one passion in common: peonies. Although I love all flowers there are a few favourites though and to those the peonies belong.
I don't own a garen myself, my work and livings space consists of a condo with quite a large balcony and growing peonies there is not an option - I tried it once but miserably failed.
But I roam the neighbours gardens with the camera and there they are - the lovely blooms which make me smile and where I could stick my nose into them for ages to smell their devine perfume. So to have a whole garden with peonies - a dream!!
A few photos can be found on my
Blooms and Blossoms blog:
http://vyala.blogspot.com
Best regards from Munich,Petra
Posted by: petra voegtle | June 30th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Martha, I super enjoy your blog. I especially like how you open up your home to all of your staff and their friends and family. It's just such a kind thing to share. Your flowers are beautiful, but I would have expected nothing less!
Posted by: ps | June 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Two questions with regard to your incredible peonies--my favorite flowers:
What do you do about the ants to prevent them from coming in the house?
How do you tie them up? What is the staking method you prefer?
Posted by: Kit Feldman | June 30th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Love how many of the close up photos of the peonies show those beautiful water droplets. And the overall display is simply a work of art!
Posted by: Lili V | June 30th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
For Kit Feldman - I find that the ants are pretty much off the peony flowers by the time they are ready to pick. The ants are drawn to the bud, which exudes a sticky sweetness they consume.
The staking method we use is kind of a cat's cradle using stakes and string. If you search my blog for other peony blogs or for cat's cradle, you will see what I mean.
Thanks for the questions.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | June 30th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Thanks Kit Feldman for the questions.
Thank you Martha for the information, very helpful.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | June 30th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Hi Martha, What a wonderful blog about Lily Mei and your beautiful peonies. Both of them are on my favorites list! Lily certainly has a large, lovely family and I'll bet they really enjoyed their visit to your wonderful farm to see all of your stunning peonies. All of the peonies you photographed are gorgeous and my two favorites are #12 and #29. How nice that the weather cooperated and you didn't have any rain that day. I'm following you on twitter while you are in France. Can hardly wait for that blog{s}. Thanks for continuing you blog while you are away. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 30th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
To Jan,
Thanks for finding Franny for me. I didn't think about enlarging the photo and she was hard to see. I still only see 19 people though and 20 names. I knew which one was Lily but didn't see Lily listed unless she is Lipei. Not important. Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 30th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Such a lovely group!
Posted by: Jen | July 1st, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I always enjoy your beautiful photos and the peonies are spectacular (my favorite flower).
My favorite opera(s): Tosca and Madame Butterfly. They both give me goosebumps!
Posted by: toodygoodshoes | July 1st, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Please let me know what type of peony is pictured on photo #29. It is just a beauty! I would like to buy some and plant it this fall. Thanks!
Posted by: Arlene | July 2nd, 2009 at 1:15 am
The trip must have been a real treat to her family. Its great that you encouraged her family to come and visit a piece of Chinese heritage in your garden.
Posted by: EcoGirl | August 16th, 2009 at 1:56 pm