.... my peony bush is loaded with buds this year ... |
I always thought that peonies required ants so that the buds could open into blossoms.
The University of Michigan website says this is not so.
And they give a tip. If you don't want those ants inside of your house, plunge the blossoms into water before making a bouquet of them in your house.
And they give a tip. If you don't want those ants inside of your house, plunge the blossoms into water before making a bouquet of them in your house.
I have one other tip about peonies.
I picked my first one of the year tonight to put on the picnic table outside. The length of the stem was making the arrangement unstable so I took my scissors and cut off an inch or two. Then I cut it a second time so that it would just fit in the Emile Henry Lion's Head Soup Bowl that I was using as a vase and be secure on the table.
I picked my first one of the year tonight to put on the picnic table outside. The length of the stem was making the arrangement unstable so I took my scissors and cut off an inch or two. Then I cut it a second time so that it would just fit in the Emile Henry Lion's Head Soup Bowl that I was using as a vase and be secure on the table.
Only a few minutes later, I was plating up a garden salad, and absent mindedly pick up a piece of celery that had fallen on the table and popped it in my mouth.
Well, I shouldn't have, but old habits die hard. Not only was the piece bitter, but it was so hard to chew -- tough and stringy. Try as I might, I couldn't get it to a place where I dared swallow it. That is when the penny dropped. I was chewing a piece of a peony stem.
Well, I shouldn't have, but old habits die hard. Not only was the piece bitter, but it was so hard to chew -- tough and stringy. Try as I might, I couldn't get it to a place where I dared swallow it. That is when the penny dropped. I was chewing a piece of a peony stem.
I do not recommend it.
I do recommend eating outside in the evening with the family next door. They tumbled out of the house t hat is next to ours, at 6 pm, bringing 2 pizzas: vegetarian and cheese. I supplied the salad (peony stem for my mouth only), and candy cotton grapes for dessert. I know the grapes are expensive, but if you haven't tried them yet, do. They are a wonder though Michael says to him, they taste like dirt.
I do recommend eating outside in the evening with the family next door. They tumbled out of the house t hat is next to ours, at 6 pm, bringing 2 pizzas: vegetarian and cheese. I supplied the salad (peony stem for my mouth only), and candy cotton grapes for dessert. I know the grapes are expensive, but if you haven't tried them yet, do. They are a wonder though Michael says to him, they taste like dirt.
Arta
Such a beautiful peony. Peony stems belong in the brussels sprouts group.
ReplyDeleteÌ did love dinners out at that table in August 2015. I would love a garden salad and thanks for holding the peony stem.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to add one more thing about the cotton candy grapes. I do not like grapes as a rule. When Pouria tasted the grapes he made one thoughtful comment: "Why would someone want to ruin the taste of grapes." Now that made me laugh, since I don't like the taste of grapes. But cotton candy grapes? Well, they aren't real grapes and so I do like the flavour. Yum to GMO.
ReplyDelete