The Life of a Flower - Peony

Of all the flowers, peonies are the most luxurious and spectacular blooms in an early summer garden. The peony flowers are strikingly large and highly fragrant with their delicate tissue paper-like petals, usually in pink, red or white. However, the bloom period of a peony is brief, lasting only a week or two at the most.
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Did you know? Some people dislike the peony flower due to the fact that they have a symbiotic relationship with black ants. In early spring, the peony buds will secret a small amount of nectar, which attracts the ant. The ants will then pull slightly at the peony petals to get to the nectar. This helps to loosen the peony's petals and makes it easier for the flower to open. The ants are not absolutely necessary to helping peonies bloom, but they are helpful and do not harm anything. Most gardening experts advise against trying to kill the ants.

The peony has been a treasured flower in Asia for centuries. it is a traditional floral symbol of China, where it is called 牡丹 (mu dān).

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A Flower Poem by H.S. Rice

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Sometimes when faith is running low

And I cannot fathom why things are so ...

I walk alone among the flowers I grow

And learn the answers to all I would know

For among my flowers, I have come to see

Life's miracle and its mystery ...

And standing in silence and reverie

My faith comes flooding back to me!

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Heavenly Father, give me the vision to see the wise and inspirational message that you have placed within a flower.

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reflection: the life of a flower, like the life of a man, is measured not by what others are doing for it, but rather the enjoyment it is giving to others.