Have I mentioned how much I love peonies? I am sure I say it every year.

My peonies planted in pots only produced three blooms this spring, but it occurred to me I hadn’t fertilized them! Perhaps that’s why. I will definitely have to remember do that in hopes of more next year!

I cut two of the three that were already open and brought them into the kitchen. It wasn’t much, but still, so beautiful! Instant joy!

Actual footage of me wandering the garden (just kidding, ha, I’ll share a lovely peony farm adventure with my grandson below)

We had several peonies planted at our last house which I just loved so much, but overall I’d say my success has been varied and a bit unpredictable. Perhaps fertilizing is the missing link.

There are so many peonies in our neighborhood that are just glorious! I had to take a photo of these as I walked across the street the other day. SO LOVELY!

Much to my delight this morning our sweet neighbor across the street unexpectedly dropped off the most lovely bouquet! Did she see me stalking them? Ha! I haven’t taken a photo of them yet, but I’ll share it when I do.

We’ve wanted to go to a peony farm for probably a decade. There is such a short blooming window of time to see them and somehow we’ve always missed it.

This week we just seized the day and made it happen. It was so beautiful, this will definitely have to be an annual thing now.

The farm we went to is called Simply Peonies in Everson, Washington.

I wish my little granddaughter Lila had been here, too! But Forrest was quite the charming garden tour host and he loved every minute of it (as did we!).

We smelled every peony and some smell so much like roses! All together they actually scented the air.

Every one is so unique!

Forrest loved the peonies, but the buttercups might have been his favorite.

It’s neat that they allow dogs to visit, too. Our dogs love adventures like this!

Lily is especially a fan of gardens. She’s getting to be an older lady now, but we knew since she was a pup that she really savored all of her senses anywhere she goes. We take her on adventures everywhere. She loves local nurseries and adventures to the beach. So she was happy as a clam at a peony farm!

Ha, they look a little rough around the edges, it was pretty windy that day, but they had as much fun as we did.

One thing I’ve learned since moving to our coastal neighborhood is that deer don’t seem to bother peonies like the do so many of the plants. We didn’t have deer in Seattle so when we moved here where deer roam freely I had put ours in pots on our back deck to protect them.

With our adventure to the peony farm this week, and our neighbor’s success with peonies, I’m fully convinced I need to plant as many peonies possible in our tiny yard. I do wish they would last longer, but still worth it!

Do you grow peonies? I’d love to hear your tips and experience with them.