One thing is for sure… it is full blown peony season here in Southwest Iowa. I think this might be my first of many posts about peonies because I have a new favorite spring color combination: Smoke Bush and Peonies. This weekend I realized I have two slightly different colored Smoke Bushes on our property.

This morning before work I did a quick bouquet of smoke bush, peony and what I think might be viburnum. I stopped at our old house after work to harvest a lot more peonies, lilac and clematis to make two more variations of the same bouquet. I am in love.

Creating a bouquet with smoke bush and peonies
1. All of the cut flowers in this bouquet were placed in hydrating solution for a few hours after I picked them. Hydrating solution is new to me this year so I am excited to see the results. I followed the directions on the jug and mixed it with a gallon of water.

2. I started the arrangement with the foliage which included the smoke bush and what I think is viburnum (also found in my new yard).
3. Then I added lilac to the arrangement.
4. Next, the came the stars of the show.

I made two versions with slightly different color palettes..which one is your favorite?

I’ll share a few more photos because I can’t help it. Magic hour at our new house is unbelievable with all of the green and the birds.
Are your peonies blooming yet?