Latest news with #Paeonia
The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
How to get the most out of your herb garden in Scotland
They, including, and perhaps especially, those we call weeds, rush to seed during this moist bonanza. Our herbs follow this pattern and provide lots of tasty leaves prior to producing the less welcome flowering and seeding stems. So what do we do to maximise the development of the leaves we generally want? The best approach is to foil the plants by removing the flowering stems, forcing them to grow more, if smaller, leaves prior to new flowering stems. With biennials like parsley and leaf celery, all we can do is try to slow down the seeding process. Fortunately, the leaves of these herbs freeze well when collected and bagged. And, as with all biennials, annual sowings give you a fresh harvest every year. Read more Dave Allan Annuals like dill, coriander, and salad rocket have also rushed to flower, so we need to use and preserve as much as we can before the plants die. Perennial sorrel, lovage, and sweet cicely behave slightly differently. They don't die after flowering, but there is a lull in leaf growth as the plants concentrate on producing seed. But again, cutting out flowering stems slows down this natural process and does encourage some fresh leaf growth. My lovage reaches a domineering 7' - 8' so has to be cut back if I want to use a path or let its neighbours survive. Some herb flowers and seeds have a part to play as well. Dill, coriander, and salad rocket flowers have some, if not as much, flavour as the leaves, but chive flowers are really tasty in a salad. And the young, green seed pods of sweet cicely are actually much more flavoursome than the leaves. So don't cut back all the flowering stems! My burnside was utterly gorgeous with its carpet of white ramsons, but if you're managing to grow and control some of this delicious wild garlic in the garden, you'll agree that the leaves, flowers, and seed are all great. Chopped up leaves add zest to a salad, the flowers make a beautiful garnish, and tender green seeds pack a punch. Collecting the goodies gives us a great excuse for an expedition to the burn. Plant of the week Paeonia (Image: PA) Paeonia (Intersectional) 'Copper Kettle' is a most beautiful mid-season, semi-double peony with large apricot pink flowers that are flecked with purple. They have a spicy fragrance. Intersectional peonies are tolerant of all the vagaries of Scottish weather, though many, like 'Copper Kettle', need rich, moist soil and a sunny spot. Once established, they are long-lived and trouble-free.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Peonies thrive for longer if households make immediate pruning change
If you want your pretty pink peonies to last longer and grow even fuller then make sure to follow this one simple expert hack - even better, it requires just one step Blooming peonies are usually one of the first signs of summer – the only pity is that the cut flowers usually only last less than a week. Fortunately, an expert has advised cutting them in a specific way to help them live longer. Peonies typically bloom in May or June and can range in colour, from blush pink to deep purple. They have been associated in multiple cultures with prosperity and beauty. In fact, their name comes from the Greek legend. One myth tells of the nymph 'Paeonia', who was transformed into a red peony by Aphrodite due to jealousy. These delicate flowers have always been ubiquitous in the UK as they prefer cooler temperatures, which means they're well-adapted to the unpredictable British weather. In fact, they actually require a freezing period to grow to their full potential. This usually happens over the winter, when temperatures drop below a certain level. The downside of this is that they don't fare particularly well in the heat. Especially with the weather becoming warmer, peonies often need extra TLC to grow to their full potential. If you have cut peonies in your home, a great way to counteract the heat is to make sure they're as hydrated as possible. Expert florist David Denyer from Eflorist recommends cutting them at a 45 degree angle. David says: 'Always cut peony stems at a 45-degree angle under running water. This practice is crucial because it helps prevent air bubbles from blocking water uptake, which can severely affect their longevity.' The stem's angle directly impacts its ability to intake water. He explains: 'A clean, angled cut creates more space for effective hydration and keeps the stems from lying flat at the bottom of the vase, so they can take in water efficiently.' Although, be careful not to leave them in too much water. David says to make sure to keep leaves above the water line, otherwise they can start to rot and turn the water cloudy. Other ways to keep your cut peonies cool is to store them in shaded spots, away from windows and radiators. This allows for a slower, longer lasting bloom. If you're growing peonies outside, then you might need to take some extra steps to keep them cool. David says you can use ice cubes to help bring their temperature down. This is best done between late November and February if you're experiencing a milder winter. This allows your peonies to go through a chilling period, which produces healthier, fuller blooms.
