White peonies are one of the flowers most loved by many, especially for their sheer color. However, do you know what they look like? What meaning do they have or do they want them to flourish in their time?
If you want to know more about this type of flower and plant, take a look at the article we have prepared for you.
How are the peonies
The first thing you need to know about peonies is that its scientific name is peoniáceas. There are 40 recognized species, which means there are others that are not, but you can find them in the market.
Native to Europe, North America and Asia (especially China), these flowers and plants are named after Pawn, who, in case you didn’t know, was the doctor of the gods according to Greek mythology. .
In China, this plant is revered, and they have been using and cultivating it for more than two thousand years.
Among the peonies we can find two types (also in the white ones):
- Herbaceous, which have an annual cycle, since they appear in spring and die in winter.
- Shrubs, which form bushes up to two meters high, with large colorful flowers.
Regarding the flowers, you should know that they are quite large, can easily reach twenty centimeters in diameter. Although most are full of petals, some can give double flowers, which gives them greater beauty.
When do white peonies bloom?
One of the common questions about peonies is about when they bloom. But the truth is that what we are about to tell you will depend on many factors, including climate, plant health, and size. We can tell you that they are a little finicky.
But if you’re lucky that you know they bloom in the months of May and June, just before the heat sets in. Although sometimes flowering can last until July itself.
Of course, the flowers open for four or five days, and if you haven’t seen them yet, we can tell you it’s a sight.
What do the white peonies mean?
Have you ever wondered what white peonies mean? It’s common to see them in wedding bouquets, but is it okay to wear them?
White peonies evoke the most timid and pure love. Therefore, yes, it is one of the typical wedding flowers for this very reason. In fact, they are usually combined with other flowers with a similar meaning, such as white roses.
However, you may not know that it has another distinct meaning. These flowers are used in case of arguments and disputes and their purpose is to ask for forgiveness.
Therefore, we can say that peonies of this color can be for declaring a pure, shy and sincere love; but also to apologize for any discrepancies.
How to care for peonies
If after what you have read you want to have a white peony plant in your garden or at home, the first thing you need is to know what the main care it needs. And especially those tricks so that the flowers do not wither or burn.
We leave you below a small summary of each of the main treatments:
location and temperature
The best location for this plant, which you can have whether you are a beginner or an expert, is where it receives at least six hours of indirect light. It means that It doesn’t matter if you have it outdoors or indoors as long as you meet this requirement.
Peonies in general, not just white ones, shun the sun because it can easily scorch their petals. If you have it indoors, place it near the window, but be careful of sunlight coming through the glass as it can do as much damage as direct sunlight.
If you place the white peonies in a pot and outside the house, a shady or semi-shady location with plenty of indirect light is best.
Regarding the temperature, peonies are plants that grow very well in cold climates and even with frost. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have it in a hot climate. You just have to be a little more careful with irrigation and ambient humidity.
Substrate
Soil for peonies to grow properly must have a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. This is why it is preferable to make a mixture between topsoil and perlite. On the one hand, you will give it fertile and nutritious soil that will help it to flourish and meet its demand. On the other hand, it will drain excess water. Keep in mind that it should feel damp.
If you see that the topsoil is not enough, for example because you are in a hot climate, choose to combine it with another floor that can withstand moisture (e.g. worm castings or peat).
When planting or transplanting, be sure to always do so in cool weather. It can be in winter or at the end of this spring and at the beginning.
Irrigation
As we have already told you, white peonies always need moist soil. But its watering differs greatly from season to season, as well as the weather.
If you live in a cold climate, water only once a week in the winter and twice a week in the summer. If your climate is warm, in winter you can water once or twice, while in summer you will have to be more attentive, with two or three weekly waterings.
Of course, do not water if you find that the soil is wet. It is better to wait for the first layers to dry.
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White peonies are a bit picky when it comes to composting. You only need two a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The first will be composed of 50% nitrogen and 100% sodium and potassium. While in the spring it will only need a fertilizer rich in nitrogen.
Of course, it is better that the fertilizer is deposited on the ground and that it is absorbed little by little than if it is irrigation water.
Now what do you think of white peonies?