Availability: Peonies are available from the northern hemisphere ( North America) May thru early July and the southern hemisphere ( Chile, New Zealand, South Africa) October to December. During late winter /early spring (Feburary – April) israel’s flower growers will ship to Vancouver . Sadly as you can see from the below chart, there is not a reliable supply for prime wedding season, July – September 🙁
Characteristics: With their bright, colorful blooms and soft fragrance peonies are a year round favorite. It has a large, full head, jam-packed with ruffled petals that open up into (most often) a white or pink-hued cotton ball of a bloom. They can be found in many colors ranging from yellows to pinks, reds and corals, but not blue. Peonies are considered a specialty cut, meaning they are subject to seasonal availability and large fluctuations in quantities available to consumers.
Love of peonies for your wedding does come with a cost. Specifically, a higher price tag than other complementary wedding blooms like roses. It is mostly due to the fact that they are not flowers that bloom year-round. The height of their most productive season is short and sweet. This is the time when you’ll find them for under $10 a stem. By winter they’re so hard to come by that, if you can find a florist to use them, the price can double.
The upside of a splurge on peonies is that you may not need many to fill out your bouquets and centerpieces. As a lavish bloom with a high petal count, you only need one or two to make an impression. They also mix beautifully with cheaper flowers like roses and lilies.
