Peony lovers, mark your calendars: Peony Day takes place on the third Saturday of May each year, offering a chance to celebrate one of the most popular blooms in the UK. This year, it falls on Saturday 16th May 2026, the perfect mid-way point for a late-Spring flower that’s in season from April to June.
Why are peonies so popular?
There are so many reasons why peonies are one of the nation’s favourite flowers. Their unique beauty, structural complexity and delicate, sweet fragrance make this Spring classic a true favourite among flower fans. Their short-but-sweet season, blooming only from April to June, also adds to their allure, giving peony lovers just a short window in which to enjoy their favoured flower. As a cut flower, they’re also spectacularly dramatic, arriving as tight golf-ball shaped buds and slowly opening, petal by petal, to reveal huge flowers.
How to care for your peonies
We all want our favourite blooms to look their best for as long as possible. To help your peonies thrive, be sure to trim the stems at a 45-degree angle, remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline and place your flowers in a clean vase filled with fresh, room temperature water. Put your vase in a cool spot, away from windows, draughts or radiators. Read more care tips in our complete guide to peonies.
Did you know?
Peonies symbolise prosperity, good luck, love and honour. They’re a favourite bloom in wedding bouquets, as well as a symbol for the 12th wedding anniversary.
The peony comes in an abundance of colours, but is never blue.
A peony’s vase life is up to 10 days long.
Peony flowers can reach up to 10 inches wide.
In China, the peony represents strength and positive virtues, as well as bravery, honour, respect, nobility, good fortune and prosperity.
Some varieties of peonies have single flowers, which make them popular with bees as their pollen is visible, while other varieties are known as double flowers because of their layered look and delicate, ruffled petals.
Where do our Peonies come from?
We love supporting homegrown blooms, so we always choose British peony growers when possible. When demand exceeds the growing capabilities of the UK weather or before the UK season, we work directly with growers further afield to bring you beautiful, ethically sourced flowers.
Why buy peonies from Arena Flowers?
Arena Flowers has a long history of ethical practices and has scored a perfect 100/100 score from the Ethical Company Index for the past six years. Since March 2022, we’ve planted two trees for every bouquet sold, contributing to reforestation and helping to support the communities we work with. We’ve held the Butterfly Mark since 2019, an independent certification from Positive Luxury to signify our ongoing commitment to sustainability. We’re also proud to pay the Fairtrade Premium to our certified growers, which helps them support and invest in their local communities.
