Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The peony or the rose?


Every spring in lovely Southern California, the Trader Joes markets sell bunches of peonies for $6.99. It's a monumental occasion for us because, otherwise, the billowy flowers are almost impossible to find here. This year, they seemed larger and more vibrant than usual.

I've always thought of myself as a rose girl, but maybe peonies are more beautiful?

A rose will always be a rose, but a peony is like the full moon in flower form,
even if they do smell like cabbage.


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40 comments:

  1. KateJune 2, 2010 at 8:56 PM

    I love peonies! I love the amount of petals that they have. Gorgeous.

    xx

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  2. AlinaJune 2, 2010 at 9:01 PM

    Peonies are soo beautiful and I love that they sell them at Trader Joes :) Roses are equally beautiful though, must I choose.

    Cheers!
    www.dreamingchic.blogspot.com

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  3. JenniferJune 2, 2010 at 9:15 PM

    The peony, always! I had a trio of beauties last week, and they had a subtle fragrance, so lovely (not at all like cabbage)! Enjoy your blooms :)

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  4. Paris Hotel BoutiqueJune 2, 2010 at 9:42 PM

    That's a toss-up. I'm going for the peony unless they are HUGE garden roses!

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  5. Mlle ParadisJune 2, 2010 at 11:56 PM

    Welcome back Tina! I have a tough time between roses, ranunculae et peonies. I have decided that I do not have to choose! Just to buy armloads whenever whatever is in season.

    Your pics are lovely.

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  6. English MuseJune 3, 2010 at 12:35 AM

    ah, ranunculaes! how could i forget!

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  7. ToniaJune 3, 2010 at 12:44 AM

    Peonies always remind of big sumptuous women in 18th century courts - how could anyone resist that?!

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  8. TravellerJune 3, 2010 at 12:57 AM

    They smell like cabbage?! I have never had a peony but I have loved them from afar. So pretty!

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  9. AnonymousJune 3, 2010 at 12:59 AM

    Peonies every time! ck :) x

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  10. BreenuhJune 3, 2010 at 1:52 AM

    Ooo, these are lovely! We like to buy daffodils and irises from TJ's because it's fun to buy them as buds and watch them open over a few days :.)

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  11. AnonymousJune 3, 2010 at 2:35 AM

    The roses out the front of our house look about as big as these and smell so sweet and fragrant so i'll still have to pick roses unless it comes to wedding bouquets...the only time I personally have decided not to be a rose girl

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  12. vicki archerJune 3, 2010 at 4:36 AM

    I can't choose between the two.....an impossible task, xv

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  13. Formerly known as FrauJune 3, 2010 at 4:58 AM

    Peonies for their look and rose for the smell...best of both!

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  14. SaudadeJune 3, 2010 at 6:40 AM

    Just wonderful!
    It is my Mother's favorite flower!
    :)

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  15. GiuliaJune 3, 2010 at 6:46 AM

    Oh no, you lil devil, I'm not getting into this again. Both. (Yours smell like cabbage? Egad.) Besides, some roses don't have scent anymore...more's the pity.

    Peonies remind me of my maternal grandmother proud possessor of a peony "hedge" all around her back & front garden--yep, an actual border of 3 feet by goodness how long. I never knew they were "fancy" until I went to buy some as a young adult.

    Anyway, very glad you got some. TJ's not walkable for me, so it's $9.99 at WFoods. Only once this year...but hope to pick some up a bunch at the farmer's market this weekend. They're almost done here...

    ciao-meow & xoxo, Tina. From both Giulia & self.

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  16. English MuseJune 3, 2010 at 7:22 AM

    whole foods has them too! i'm on my way...

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  17. home made girl.June 3, 2010 at 7:34 AM

    i love the look of peonies, but we can't grow them here in florida. so i am a rose girl. i have huge lovely garden roses growing by my drive, that fill the air with their scent and make coming home a joy! i hope to add more every year, and eventually have the house surrounded by a merry profusion of roses.

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  18. TheBeautyFileJune 3, 2010 at 9:20 AM

    I read somewhere that peonies invite love into your life. That actually having them in your house tells love to come through your "door." Who couldn't use some more??

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  19. Betwixt Baubles (aka Iris)June 3, 2010 at 9:24 AM

    Peonies and Lilacs please!

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  20. AnonymousJune 3, 2010 at 10:27 AM

    I love roses but I think I prefer peonies. Here in my region in France they grow well and they smell like paradise ^^
    (maybe you don't have the species which smell good?)

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  21. JessJune 3, 2010 at 12:12 PM

    Peonies are beautful it is true but Roses win any time! Can't beat their wonderful aroma!xx

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  22. Melissa BlakeJune 3, 2010 at 1:17 PM

    Those are lovely -- wish I could smell them through the computer! xoxo

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  23. CassieJune 3, 2010 at 2:19 PM

    A hard choice! I just clipped some roses for my kitchen table. I'd love to get my hands on some peonies, though!

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  24. AnonymousJune 3, 2010 at 2:55 PM

    i've always been a bit of a rose girl myself, but these peonies are oh-so-lovely!

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  25. drollgirlJune 3, 2010 at 3:05 PM

    GAH!!!! i bought these EXACT peonies from trader joe's on friday! i figured $6.99 was a reasonable price to pay for these beauties, and they were AWESOME to behold! i love them!

    roses, schmoses! well, roses are fine and all, but peonies win today!

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  26. Vicki DresteJune 3, 2010 at 3:14 PM

    I love peonies. For me peonies are summer.
    Vicki

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  27. CocoRosieJune 3, 2010 at 4:21 PM

    i've been designing peonies almost daily in my floral arrangements and love them but nothing is more lovely and fragrant than the rose, so i use both! all the best - peace, s.

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  28. Paulie AntiquesJune 3, 2010 at 5:04 PM

    Very cute! :) I am trying to start up my blog with some more followers and I was wondering if you'd please visit my site and if you like it please become a follower! I will most certainly return the favor!

    love, Polly :)

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  29. NishantJune 3, 2010 at 5:27 PM

    I love roses but I think I prefer peonies.
    PPC Advertising India

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  30. LenoreNeverM♡reJune 3, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    peony flowers are so showy~ pure delight! Plus, shades of pink bring smiles*

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  31. BALLET NEWSJune 4, 2010 at 4:16 AM

    Peony all the way - especially Shirley Temple which is about to burst into flower in my garden !

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  32. R. J.June 4, 2010 at 8:24 AM

    I love both.

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  33. Molly McGonigleJune 4, 2010 at 9:25 AM

    Isn't that deal in trader Joe's amazing? I bought two bunches for myself last week. They still look gorgeous.

    http://mollymcgon.blogspot.com

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  34. CKJune 4, 2010 at 1:26 PM

    Cabbage? They LOOK like cabbages a little bit, but to me they smell like a cross between roses and carnations and are divine! I have a big bouquet from my yard sitting on my table right now in front of me.

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  35. TaJune 5, 2010 at 6:53 PM

    Peonies are wonderful. They are full and beautiful.

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  36. PenneyJune 7, 2010 at 8:50 AM

    I go for the Peonies, although the New Dawn roses and Rosa Regosa make me drool..
    Didn't see them in TJ's yesterday in Palm Desert? Off to Whole Foods I guess.
    xo ya, Penney

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  37. genevieveJune 9, 2010 at 8:45 AM

    I think they are absolutely beautiful, and such a nice, slightly different alternative to the classic rose. beautiful pics!

    visit my creativity blog at http://untilthedayirunaway.blogspot.com

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  38. reckless daughterJune 9, 2010 at 4:14 PM

    peonies all the way ;)

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  39. sisters in black frocksJune 12, 2010 at 10:38 PM

    peonies are so special

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  40. shellieJune 22, 2010 at 1:03 PM

    cabbages...you are so funny...peonies are my favorites i had them when i got married but roses are gorgeous too especially the garden type...one of my favorites is yves piaget...they open up to mammoth proportions...and the fragrance is heavenly...sometimes if you go early in the week you can find them at mayesh in the la flower district...

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