Ruffled BEAUTIES

Encapsulating both the charm and romance of an English country garden, the first glimpse of the unfurling petals of a peony is a moment to be treasured. Emerging as tight, globe-like buds perched on tall stems, they open into a plethora of delicate petals, forming a dense pompom of ruffles or simple floral cups enclosing a mass of stamens. Heralding the arrival of summer, this is a much-loved bloom with many different guises. From classic pale pink to crisp milk white, buttery lemon and soft apricot to the deepest magenta and crimson, there is a peony variety to suit every preference and colour palette. Alec White of Primrose Hall Peonies says: “Every garden deserves at least one peony. Peonies evoke obsessive dedication from gardeners