Rose Tea Cottage

Where tea is served at half past four




In 1789 the first Peony tree arrived in Europe. As in the eastern world, Peonies were originally cultivated in Europe for their medicinal value. It was not until much later in history that Peonies began to be grown in Europe solely for their ornamental qualities.

Sir Joseph Banks of Kew Gardens, having heard of Peonies from earlier travelers to the orient, had commissioned a doctor with the British East India Company to purchase and bring back a Peony tree to England. The plant was brought to England by Dr. Duncan and subsequently planted at Kew Gardens.

Peony petals have been dried and used to make a tea that was reputed to soothe a cough!

The lush, densely ruffled blossom of the Peony contains many mysteries. That is why the Peony has become the special weapon of those who wish to communicate their love in a secret manner. So whether you’re a secret admirer or the recipient of a lush, lovely bouquet of Peonies, you’ll know the special message these flowers contain. ~~ (I hope Clive knows about this!)

When words escape, Peonies speak!
~Bruce W. Currie

The seeds of the plant are purported to have medicinal properties!

Peonies are known as the flower of riches and honour!

M. de Kelway's, a French perfumer who affectionately was called
M. le Nez, was reputed to have created a perfume in the 1930's
made of peony petals called "Paeony Valley"

The state flower of Indiana!

The 12th wedding anniversary flower!

The peony is practically the national flower of China and is often referred to in poetry and literature. Peonies are one of the main motifs of Chinese decorative arts and can be found on porcelains, in woodblock and screen paintings as well as embroidered onto tapestries and clothing.

The beauty of the peony flower has long inspired artists in both the eastern and western parts of the world. During the end of the 18th and during the 19th century artists such as Renoir and Fantin-Latour painted peonies. Today peonies are popular subjects for many amateur and professional artists.

Darling like the Peony turn your face to the sun
and have a lovely Monday!


63 comments:

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hello
Thank you for your sunny wishes, we can do with it here as a grey day at then moment. However, this has been brightened up by your beautiful peony post. They are spectacular flowers. The purple one is gorgeous, such depth of colour.
your post has been a ray of sunshine, thank you.
Take care
Isabelle x

Magdalena said...

Duchess, Peonies are one of my favorite flowers , We have a "Peony Walk" at our home dedicated to this glorious flower. I love every one of your pictures
xoxo
Bunny

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Peonies have always been a favorite flower for me. When I was a young girl growing up, there lived a lady down the street who had several peony plants, each surrounded by a small fence. When on a walk, I often stopped to say hello just so I could get a closer look at the beauty of these flowers. Thank you for your beautiful pictures; I'll take them with me on my walk today!

Anonymous said...

Afternoon Duchess, i was just putting on the kettle and it made me wonder how you and your blog of darling tea was getting on.

Little did i know you'd left me a message, thank you, my weekend was swell :)

Hope yours was as full of much delight as mine was.

Girl With One Eye xx

Maggi said...

This is such a beautiful flower!

Kim-Fille de Fleur said...

My FAVORITE flower! Thank you for all the information about this wonderful flower. Not to mention the gorgeous picture. I would like to go back and look at them right now!
Kim

Anonymous said...

Hello dear Duchess Thanks for your kind comment on my daughter's illness. I have been away some and have not been able to visit all my blog friends. Your post today has lifted my heart up, as the lovely peony. I enjoyed reading about the history. Blessings
QMM

parTea lady said...

Duchess, these photos of the peonies are breathtaking. Such a gorgeous flower and so many varieties. Thank you for the interesting history of the peony tree.

Lucky Indiana to have the peony as the state flower. Wish it was the 30th anniversary flower - we'll be celebrating that in Sept. Hope you have a great day too.

Rose Garden Romantic said...

Gorgeous photos!! I adore Peonies!!!
Michelle

Anonymous said...

my absolute fave flower!!
and thanks for leaving me some royal wishes. :)

cont. blessings,
-Tracie

Snigdha said...

wow what a wonderful world of peonies.i love evrthing abt ur blog..and i visit it atleast 5 or more times a day.The Music is sooo great and so is the layout.Love the pink and blue combination.
Thanks for the sunny day wishes and hope u r enjoying there.

love
snigdha

Barb said...

Hi Duchess, your pictures are making me smile with delight.....how absolutely beautiful they are!!!!!!

Barb :-)

Anonymous said...

I have posted your beautiful present.Thank u so much for ur encouragements dear.

Anonymous said...

I have to stop my blogging due to some personal pbs.will miss u a lot
lot lot......dear

Muneeba said...

I do love peonies ... and the ones you chose to display on your blog are so dramatic and romantic! Gorgeous.

Fabulous Finds Gal said...

This is the MOST gorgeous post with a wonderful story behind it. Enjoy your Monday, Dutchess.
xo,
Christina

Mary said...

Hi Duchess, I just left you a long comment on your previous post! I don't know how I missed this one! The pictures of these beautiful flowers are just gorgeous, and I'm so glad you posted them for us to see! I can't even pick a favorite, they're all so beautiful. The beautiful pinks in the vase are just so lovely as they softly drape over the top, as if reaching out to you! May blessings fall on you today! Mary

Stayathomemommy said...

Beautiful flowers, thank you for sharing them this morning.

Unknown said...

Magnificent! Peonies are my favorite flowers. They are absolutely divine in white and in every other color. Thank you for the sepctacular choice of pictures - they are pure pleasure to look at.

Michela said...

Good afternoon Duchess!
Thank you for sharing your magnificient peonies,having tea with you has been a wonderful start to my week!

Anonymous said...

Good morning Duchess. Such a beautiful post and very up lifting. Thank you :>) I absolutely adore peonies and have pink, rose, and white in my gardens. I hope you have a lovely week. And was that awards I saw on your previous posts? Congratulations! They are very well deserved.

Pomona said...

Lovely, lovely pics! Thank you for visiting - the sun is shining for me today - hope it is for you!

Pomona x

Anonymous said...

Oh Duchess, I love, love, love the Peony. What makes me sad is they are around for such a short period of time. Mine blooms for about at week and then it's over. They are just so precious and beautiful aren't they?

Thanks for stopping by and saying hello. I took a week off from the blog and got some must do things done around the house so it's back to the grind this week. I'll be posting soon.

Happy Monday to you Sweetie.

Melissa

Good to be a Queen said...

Dearest Duchess, I can almost smell these...Beautiful!!!

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

I wanted to thank you for stopping by and wanted to wish you a sunny day too, I am wishing the hurricanes away right now, even with all of them out there it's still sunny here so thank you (; Beautiful flowers!!
Hugs~Kelly

Unknown said...

i think peonies are one of the most beautiful flowers. they remind me of ballerina skirts. this was such a pretty post :)

Unknown said...

Peonies are my favorite flower. They were my primary wedding flower!

Thanks for sharing all of those interesting tidbits and gorgeous photos!!

Tulip said...

Hello Duchess,

I just cant express how I feel when I visit your blog. Yesterday I visited your blog for the first time from someone else's and was instantly mesmerized by the beau-tea-ful flowers and wonderful blog template, and of course the soothing music. Creativity defines your blog...and I would love to come here again and again to sip tea with you !! And thanks for following on my blog :)

Simply Colette said...

What a lovely post! I love peonies... and the quality of the photos are divine. :)

Hope you have a wonderful week Duchess and that you are getting settled back at home. :)

Anonymous said...

I love peony's! I received a lovely bouquet 5 years ago. My Husbands cousin grew beautiful ones and she brought me the bouquet for our 25th wedding anniversary. I wish it could have lasted forever!! I have a small bush out back, but someone who lived here before me planted it in deep shade...it blooms for one day each year...I know I need to research and find how when and how to move it out into some sunshine.

Lovely post as always!☼

Lola said...

Dear Duchess!

The peony is one of my favorite flowers - so delicate in its beauty! Wonderful photos as always!

Hope you're having a great Monday!

xxLOL LOLA:)
btw posted a few pics over the weekend of a squirrel blogpal that you may find amusing! And my first What Lola Loves fashion spot today - equally outrageous (I hope!!) xx

Unknown said...

Duchess, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your kind comments! They are very much appreciated!

What a lovely post you have today . . . I just LOVE peonies! I have several bushes in my garden and I can never get enough of them. Now I can come and admire them here on your blog!

Have a lovely day!

Blessings,
Teresa

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Peonies are one of my fave flowers.They are hard to grow down here in miss.They have to be kept in the shade all the time.I had a beautiful double orange peony.But it was just to hot for it.Thank you so much for sharing the story about them, and all those gorgeous pictures too.And
Thank you sweetie for stoping by.I've been busy this morning trying to put together a new post.Its not up yet.I'm very slow with these.LOL...XXOO Marie Antionette

Unknown said...

Hi, Thanks for your sunny wishes, Hope you had a great weekend and wishing you all the best this week! There are so many lovely pics here! x

Mimi said...

HI DUTCHESS!!!!
1 more week and i will be in Orlando visiting my daughter, having lunch at the Rose and Crown at Epcot!!! Should I eat fish and chips or shepherds pie????
Love peony's, I think my new favorite flower!!!!!
HUGS,
JAMIE

Abatevintage said...

Hello sweet Duchess, sorry to have not posted in a while, but I wanted to hope over really quick and thank you for all your wonderful comments, and prayers for Amy. I have not had a chance to say thank you personally, and wanted to make sure I did that. I have been running around ragged lately trying to get all the preperations done for my travel to Oklahoma to visit with Amy. I will leave this Saturday. Thank you again for everything you truly are a wonderful angel from the Lord.

Many blessings,
Heidi

teacupsandpoodles said...

Duchess,
Such beautiful peony pictures! Delightful post as always! I'm so glad you stopped over and left a comment! You are such a joy!

debra@dustjacket said...

Oh wow all that information about one of my favorite flowers. Thank you darling Duchess.

The pictures are just wonderful, Have a lovely day,
xoxo

Unknown said...

No flower is more majestic than the peony. I loved your beautiful post and all the information you shared. They are works of nature's art.
Happy Twirls

Faiza Ali said...

Hi Duchess, Thanks for dropping by on by blog to ask about my weekend.Thats really very sweet of you. I had a great weekend. Friday- went to Roman Baths, Saturday- Buckingham Palace and Tower of London and Sunday was Stonehenge and Isle of wight.this was the best weekend of this year for me :) Hope even your weekend was good as mine.
I just love these flowers and so happy to know so much about the flowers. very Lovely post as usual with beautiful photos.
Have a great week ahead

debi said...

Hello Duchess, Thanks for stopping by. I hope you're having a beautiful day. Thanks for sharing the lovely peonies...they're one of my favorites and the photos are just stunning.
Hugs, Debi

Prasukitchen.blogspot.com said...

Duchess you have a lovely blog dear with lovely pictures on ur blog . first time here i loved it
pls drop by at my blog when u get a chance dear !!

yyam said...

Peonies are my favourite flowers! There are so many different varieties to see in every season..:)
Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures!

beachvintage.com said...

These flowers are just so so beautiful I cant stop looking at them. Lovely post Duchess.

Caterina foi passear... said...

As always beautiful photos...feel even the smell here!
Thanks Duchess, for your kind comment!
Kisses♥♥♥

Marilyn Miller said...

Peonies are one of my favorite flowers. It was fun to see so many pretty pictures of them.

Eileen said...

Beautiful post about a beautiful flower!
Tomorrow is the two year Anniversary of my Dad's passing, and I'm feeling very melancholy, but your pretty post lifted my spirits!
Amazing pictures! Thanks for sharing!
All the best,
Eileen

Laura said...

I'm so glad I found your blog sweetie. Stop by and tell me what's in your makeup bag...

Eileen said...

Hello Duchess,
What a gorgeous post. I just love Peonies. Your photos are so beautiful - a fabulous day brightener.

Rose said...

Hello Duchess.
Thankyou for sharing these lovely peony pictures!
I dont think I have actually seen a peony tree before! I wonder if they grow in Australia? They are so beautiful and the colours are just adorable.
Its so nice and sunny in Adelaide today, i cant wait to go for a walk this afternoon to see all the lovely flowers that are coming out now that spring is near.

Rose

CAKE Creative Co. said...

i wanted to have peonies at my wedding so much, but they were sadly out of season so i settled on garden roses. anything lush and colorful brings joy to my day.

Sierra said...

I love peonies, they always smell so sweet and just, uh, perfect!

Nic said...

oh that´s amazing.

the first time on your blog and I can´t stop to beeing here.

wow.

perfect idea

The Gossamer Tearoom said...

Dear Duchess,
Thank you so much for this very lovely post. It reminded me of all the beautiful peonies my mother grew in our yard when I was growing up. I loved them all, but especially the white tipped in red on the petals. She is not well and your post just reminded me it was time to think beautiful thoughts to speed her comfort.
Thank you, as well, for checking into my blog.
Wishing you a wonderous day!

Betty

Anne said...

Awww. What a sweet post. I yet to have a Peony bush in my yard. But it is something I was thinking about adding to my back yard next Spring. There blooms are so huge. And all of the colors are so beautiful. I'm going to have hard time choosing next spring.

shabby*vintage*dreams said...

OHHH Your blog is delightful!!! Im poping home to mine to add you as a Fav!!
Just breathtaking!!
Mandii

Deanna said...

These flowers are so beautiful.
It is a treat to see them.
Blessings,
d

Lynn said...

Oh wow, these are absolutely gorgeous, why don't I have any? Next year for sure.

Anonymous said...

Oh Duchess...these flowers are breathtakingly beautiful!!Each flower is so magnificent, it is terribly hard to choose a favorite!Thank you so much for sharing this lovely flower and all of its history with us...just stunning!
I want to see if there is any way they will survive here in the Atlanta area..

Have a brillant day!

Hugs,
Lynn♥

Intrinsically Florrie said...

All those flowers are so beautiful, wonderful photographs.

Florrie x
http://intrinsicallyflorrie.blogspot.com/

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Duchess, your peony photos are exquisite! Peonies are one of my favourite flowers and you've given us so many wonderful glimpses of them! Love the post!

BTW, I am honoured that you keep coming to visit! When I see your site, I'm overcome with joy at the beauty this world offers and how you've captured it for us! It gives me something to aspire to!!

Sherry Williams said...

These have to be the most beautiful peonies I have ever seen. The pictures are heavenly!
Thanks so much for sharing!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

So very beautiful! Thank you for sharing your stunning photos of one of my favourite blooms.

Blessings,
Sandi

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