First Bloom of the Tree Peony, Paeonia suffruticosa
This photo was too nice to be lumped in with a bunch of other flowers. Unfortunately I don't know the name of the variety other than it's a white tree peony. When I first saw the flower in the morning I was a bit disappointed it was not open. But I think the colorful center of red and yellow would have been a distraction in this study of whites. The early morning raking light brought out the sculptural quality of the petals and I was extremely lucky to take the photo at that exact time. 5 minutes later and I would have missed the shot.
The flower reminds me of Marilyn Monroe standing on the subway grate with her white dress billowing about her in "Seven Year Itch".
Please click on the photo to see an enlargement.
posted by Ki at
6:11 AM
7 Comments:
Hiya KI,
Very photogenic flower.
Also looks like Princess Diana getting out of the coach in her crumpled wedding gown, before they shook out the creases.
Some pictures are iconic and stay in your memory. Looks like you have created one here :-)
Hello Joco,
Thank you for the very kind comment. I was extremely lucky to have caught it at that moment. I like your description of Princess Diana's wedding gown as much as the one of MM.
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Hi Nancy,
The tree peonies are stunningly beautiful and the flowers don't fall over because they have woody stems. The herbaceous peonies are beautiful too but I hate staking the plant or I guess ringing the plant would be more accurate, to keep the stems upright under the weight of the heavy flowers. I may have to buy some herbaceous ones though - I've seen one or two must haves ;) Make sure you get a nice healthy plant and don't get suckered by those cheapy nurseries selling bare root plants. Thanks for stopping by.
Lovely! I know what you mean about how quickly the Tree Peony flowers open. It's like you have to stand there taking a shot every 5 minutes.
You're a 'man of the moment', Ki. Once again, pat yourself on the back for the lovely photo.
Hi Mr. McGregor's Daughter,
You're absolutely right. I went out later in the morning and the peony was completely open. I see many more ready to open so you'll get sick and tired of seeing them on my blog. :)
Thanks for stopping by.
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Hey Joey,
Better to be lucky than good is my motto. The bad thing about this warm spell we've been having is that everything is blooming like right now! Good grief in a week or so I won't have anything to photograph. Oh well, maybe that will leave me more time to visit more blogs. ;) Thanks. I always appreciate your encouragement.
That photo is so gorgeous it makes me want to paint the peony.
I'm passing along the E for Excellent blog award to you, Ki, so come on over and get it.
Hi Carolyn Gail,
That was my exact same thought - to paint it. You are welcome to use the photo as a model if you care to do so.
Thank you very much for the wonderful award. I am humbled.
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