Peonies – Fuller Mountain Farm

Peonies are revered in many countries, and are often referred to as the “carefree queen of perennials.” That really says it all. These incredible plants slumber happily beneath the Vermont winter cold and deep snow, emerging in the spring with reddish asparagus-like spikes. If you don’t have permanent supports around them, now’s the time to get them in the ground. That’s because the rapidity with which they grow is incredible. Almost overnight, they are lovely green bushes. Then, before you know it, they are covered with a plethora of long-stemmed, tight little buds. At this point, it’s important to sweep the garden and disbud the plant of many or all of the smaller side buds, leaving the main bud to develop into a voluptuous bloom.

We grow heirloom peonies that are breathtakingly beautiful. In pastel shades of pink and cream, they are true to their name, Sorbet Peony…almost good enough to eat! Big and fluffy, they make incredible bouquets.

Yves Piaget is a deep pink peony that adds a depth of color to an arrangement of peonies. Peonies also pair well with stems of lilac, another spectacular June-blooming flower on our farm.

There is nothing more memorable for a special event than a bouquet of peonies, picked fresh from the farm. We pick the blooms when they’re in a “marshmallow” stage, soft to touch but not yet open. Oh my goodness! They open and last such a long time…truly giving you such a long time to keep saying, “oh! these peonies!” every time you walk past your bouquet!