Each flower has a “time” when they are ready to bloom. They reach their flowering time and recede as new ones take their place. Peonies come in early summer.
Peonies are a favorite bloom from my childhood. My neighbor lady had two or three plants 
that of differing colors. The large flowers and their delicate scent still delight me.
I bought several to plant on the farm a few years ago. I thought I would be able to enjoy the differing colors. I would like to let you drink in their beauty, 
too. I hope you like them.
The blooms last longest on the plant. However, I do pick some to place a bouquet on my kitchen table. To make their beauty longer lasting, I dry the flowers. They dry to make lovely bouquets for the house.
To dry them, I bind a few stems together with a rubber band. The rubber band will hook nicely from a door knob or other hanging place. With the flowers hanging upside down the peonies dry to ensure that their blooms will stand erect in a vase. After the drying I have a special bouquet that lasts for weeks or months. Give it a try sometime. Other flowers and herbs dry well this way, too.
peony photo credits:Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Don Hankins via photopin cc
Ah, Spring, I miss you!
Yes, I miss it, too. Maybe the transience of spring adds to its value.