It was named after Paeon, a physician to the gods, who obtained the plant on Mount Olympus from the mother of Apollo. Once planted the Peony likes to be left alone and punishes those who try to move it by not flowering again for several years. Once established, however, it produces spendid blooms each year for decades.
From Penhaligon’s Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose: The Language of Flowers, 1990
spanishwoods 
I soaked up the grace and beauty of this post, Sylvia, thank you. The elegant peony, the excerpt, and your dreamy photo…much appreciated.
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Thank you Jet. I do love peonies so much, like you said, they are such an elegant flower.
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How lovely! They are such pretty flowers, aren’t they? Too bad ants like them so much too!
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Yes, the nectar must be very sweet. They are such beautiful flowers, I agree.
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🙂
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Stunning flower image and I learned more about peonies. Thanks, Sylvia.
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Thanks ever so much Jane.
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