One flower noticed the most in the cemeteries this time of the year is the beautiful peony. The peonies are blooming in all their glory, showing off their colorful and fragrant blooms in cemeteries, yards, and even in vacant yards and landscapes. In this “neck of the woods” peony bushes are popular and showy. Memorial Day, everyone who visits the cemeteries look forward to seeing the blooming peony bushes that decorate grave sites.
Have you ever asked yourself why there are so many peony bushes planted at the grave sites? Not only do they have a short blooming period, 7 to 10 days that just happen to fall around Memorial Day, but people who plant these bushes know peonies are hardy. They know if planted at a loved one’s grave in their memory, when no one is left to decorate the grave site, the peonies will keep providing blooms without care. It is said peony bushes can live for 100 years or more. While driving the rural roads this time of year, peonies can be spotted in long abandoned farmyards. Yet the flower continues growing and blooming.
Peonies have a history back to 1000 B.C. in the gardens of China. By the 8th century, they had reached Japan. Through the years, Japan has become a big producer of the peony bushes. In the eastern world, the peony was used mainly for medicinal purposes. They are named “The King of Flowers.” By early 19th century, the peony bushes arrived in America.
Peonies seem to do well in the midwest and northern states where the temperatures dip low. They do not do well in the warmer climates and they should not be planted in the shade. The blooms come in several colors including purple, white, red and yellow, as well as the common light and dark pinks.
Peonies symbolize bashfulness, compassion, a happy life, good health, a happy marriage and prosperity. So early fall, make plans to go into the yard, parks and cemeteries and plant peony bushes. They are rewarding.
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