Seattle Chinese Garden's 1st Peony Festival

I'm kind of bummed that I won't be here to help celebrate China's most famous flowering plant at the Seattle Chinese Garden this Saturday.



Our horticulture committee has endured a few challenges lately, yet we're moving forward in hosting our first even horticultural event by showcasing the genus Paeonia

Peonies have long been popular garden plants, but it never seems popular enough in the Puget Sound Area to garner its own exhibition. Perhaps it's because of the busy time of year when you're competing with plant sales, garden opens, etc. etc., but in Chinese culture, the peony is much celebrated and we thought that we'd begin a tradition of acknowledging this beautiful flower each year so the Seattle Chinese Garden becomes a destination for folks to come visit what we hope to be the largest collection of tree and herbaceous peonies in Western Washington that's open to the public.

For our first attempt at this, Swanson's Nursery kindly lent us 3 plants for the festivities this Saturday. Here they are being delivered. Oh, driving around with these blossoms and their scent was heavenly!!

This first year is really a trial run using the handful of tree peonies we have in our nursery holding area that haven't received the best of care, but are still quite remarkable. They'll be showcased in glazed ceramic Chinese pots

There will be a flower arranging demonstration, a running slideshow of a Peony festival in China and photos of many cultivars available in the trade. There will also be information about care and culture of peonies and potted herbaceous peonies for sale.

The event will also offer an opportunity to see the new "Knowing the Spring Courtyard" and the early stages of future construction.

I hope you'll come and support our humble horticulture committee and see some wonderful tree peonies in bloom and see the brand new courtyard!


WHAT: Seattle Chinese Garden's 1st Annual Peony Festival

WHERE: 6000 16th Ave. SW, Seattle WA 98106

WHEN: Saturday, May 21st. 12PM-5:30PM

COST: FREE!!!!

For more information visit the Seattle Chinese Garden website!


ALSO:IF YOU'VE GOT A PEONY BLOOMING IN YOUR GARDEN, DO CUT ONE OR A FEW TO SHARE AND SHOWCASE!!

I hope to share my peony pride and joy in future years with my precious: