Peony and Roselily Bouquet

Hey there! Here’s what you need to know to make the most of this burlap-wrapped bouquet full of two of Team Farmgirl’s favorite big-time bloomers - peonies and roseliles!

Out of the box! Once you’ve wrestled the zip tie open (pro tip: we like to use a pair of flower shears for this), lose the tissue and burlap wrap and then remove the plastic bag, rubber band, and sponge. Pro tip: save the tissue paper the bouquet came wrapped in to catch all the stem ends you’re about to trim – it makes cleaning up a cinch! Bonus points for upcycling any or all of the other trimmings and trappings!

Best buds! We ship peonies and roselilies in a budded form that might arrive looking like a bouquet of green lollipops and mini umbrellas. Don’t stress! We do this for two reasons: (1) so you can enjoy the longest vase life possible and (2) so these rather voluminous blooms don’t arrive bruised. A little time and TLC is all this bouquet needs to blossom awesomely, so keep reading! Wanna know more? Watch this reel from Farmgirl founder and CEO Christina Stembel to learn more about how we ship (and how to arrange) peonies and roselilies!

Ace the vase! If you didn’t order a vase to ship with your bouquet, go grab your favorite from your personal collection. Make sure it’s clean and then fill it ½ - ¾ of the way with cool, clean water. Pro tip: we like something 7-8” tall with about a 4” opening.

Chop chop! Grab your floral shears, kitchen scissors, or a sharp kitchen knife and cut at least ½-1” off the end of the stems. Psst – you may need to remove more if you choose a shorter vase. Either way, we like to trim enough off the ends so that the lowest flower in the bouquet sits at or just above the lip of the vase. 

Give it a zhush! Once you’ve popped your freshly trimmed bouquet into the vase, remove the tape or twine holding the stems together. Although it was necessary to hold the design in place during the bouquet’s journey to your doorstep, leaving it on longer may compromise your flowers’ ability to hydrate properly.

Location, location, location. This bouquet will last longest if placed in a cool spot well away from any bright windows or real or artificial sources of heat. Think bright windows, stove tops, heating vents, etc. 

Now and later. The peonies in this bouquet are most likely to bloom first, while the roselilies will likely take a few days more. Although peony vase life is notoriously short (three to five days once bloomed is average), roselilies often go the distance. To enjoy the entire bouquet for as long as possible, remove any dead or dying vase mates so the other stems can continue to thrive! 

Late bloomers. Got a stubborn peony or lily bloom? A fresh stem trim and warm (not hot!) vase water are usually two surefire ways to accelerate the process. Rinse and repeat (and repeat again) if needed!