Very short but gloriously sweet: peony season in Christchurch
Each year, a quiet wave of excitement sweeps through Christchurch florists and homes as peony season arrives. Renowned for their luxurious, opulent layers of petals and delicate fragrance, peonies are the epitome of exquisite. Yet their beauty is fleeting. The brief window in which these New Zealand-grown flowers thrive illustrate the philosophy and pain of seasonal floristry: great beauty but only for a few magical weeks. If you love peonies, now is the time to order flowers online for a Christchurch delivery before the season ends or visit our Merivale flower shop.
The joy of peonies is they boast an enchanting palette ranging from soft blush, creamy ivory and the purest of white through to a vivid coral, magenta and deep crimson. Their hues shift subtly as the buds open forcing a dynamic interplay of colour and light, so every arrangement feels fresh, bespoke and effortlessly luxurious.
Peonies boast an enchanting palette ranging from soft blush, creamy ivory, and pure white to vivid coral, magenta, and deep crimson. Their hues shift subtly as the buds open, creating a dynamic interplay of colour and light that makes every arrangement feel fresh, romantic, and effortlessly luxurious.
Peony: the Queen of flowers
Peonies are known as the ‘Queen of Flowers’, mainly through the deep cultural significance in ancient China. Empress Wu Zetian ordered the destruction of peonies for not flowering on command. According to legend, the flowers in response regrew even more beautifully the following spring, leading the peony to be a symbol of beauty and prosperity but also strength and righteousness. And they still hold the power to captivate their audience.
With their voluptuous petals, they have an unmatched ability to elevate any bouquet, from wedding flowers to thoughtful flower delivery surprises. The flowers begin as tight, modest buds before gradually unfurling into lush, ruffled spheres with an abundance.

Setting the standard: using peonies in flower arrangements
The creative team in our flower shop in Christchurch is always captivated by peonies. Their charm is extraordinary, so any flowers arranged alongside them must be able to meet the exceptional beauty standard without risk of overwhelming them. Peonies are opulent and full of character and Fleur by DK florists select pairings with flowers to either mirror their texture or flowers to deliver a striking contrast to feel balanced, refined and full of life.
Roses: a timeless pairing bringing classic romance and structure to the bouquet. Their varied shapes and sizes introduce subtle texture while continuing the soft and deliciously elegant feel.
Hydrangeas: known for their lush, abundant heads, hydrangeas help populate the bouquet in the most delightful way. Adding a white or pale blue variety creates a cool contrast to the warmth and pop of colour of the peonies.
Ranunculus: these stunning flowers echo the layered form of peonies, adding depth and an intense visual richness to an arrangement. A blend of ranunculi and peonies has a disarming beauty – not for the faint of heart, the romantic intention of this combination is palpable.
Anemones: with their striking dark centres and crisp petals, anemones provide a bold contrast to the peonies which highlights their softness and fragility. Anemones are superb flowers for bouquets as they can continue growing after being cut.
Lisianthus: delicate rose-like and ruffled, lisianthus harmonise beautifully with peonies, softening the overall composition of the bouquet with their gentle, fluttering petals, adding an enduring sense of romance and flow.
Dahlias: offering a spectrum of colours and diverse shapes, dahlias bring texture and vibrancy to peony arrangements. These bold, structured flowers create a stunning contrast to the softness of peonies, introducing drama and visual depth.
Sweet peas: with gentle fragrance and whimsical form, sweet peas initiate a movement and lightness - an ethereal, romantic and utterly luxurious appeal.
As award-winning florists, Fleur by DK are committed to creating beautiful bouquets. All our flowers are hand-selected from local growers and markets for field freshness and optimum beauty to ensure the best same-day flower delivery for our clients. Call 03 3550464 or click here for bespoke flower design.
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