Granny Mae used to say that peonies are like family—they’re beautiful, resilient, and just when you think they’re gone, they come back stronger than ever. She had a row of them right by the front porch, thick and lush, pink blooms as big as Sunday hats at church. “These came from your Great-Granny’s garden,” she’d say, brushing her fingers across the petals like she was smoothing down a child’s cowlick. “That means you better not let ‘em die, Buck.”
Now, I’m not saying flowers come with rules exactly, but in the South, some plants are treated with a respect that borders on reverence. You don’t mess with Granny Mae’s biscuit recipe, you don’t forget to write a thank-you note, and you sure don’t let a family peony bush wither away.
A Bloom That Bridges Generations
There’s something downright sacred about peonies that have been passed down through generations. They’re survivors—like Aunt Marlene, who swears she outran a tornado once. These flowers dig their roots deep and endure scorching summers, stubborn clay soil, and the occasional nosy dog who thinks your flower bed is his playground (looking at you, Rufus).
The thing is, they bloom on their own time, usually in late spring, and they don’t care one bit about your schedule. But when those blooms show up, they’re a sight to behold. It’s like the garden itself decided to throw a party, and every bloom is dressed in its finest.
Passing Down More Than Flowers
Peonies aren’t just flowers; they’re memories. I remember planting a cutting from Granny Mae’s bush in my own yard after she passed. Miss Lorraine from church came by with lemonade and a story about how Granny once saved the entire church potluck by whipping up a ham salad out of “whatever was in her pantry.”
That peony bloomed the next spring, and I’ll tell you, I almost cried seeing those familiar pink blooms. It was like Granny Mae was there, waving from the garden, reminding me that family doesn’t just live in people—they live in flowers, recipes, and old stories told over sweet tea.
Keep Them Growing
If you’ve got family peonies, treasure them. Dig them up carefully if you’re moving, and plant them in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. They like to be settled in before winter so they can rest and surprise you in the spring. But most of all, just love them. They’ll remind you of where you came from and bloom long after you’re gone.
That’s the beauty of Southern gardens—like family, they’re rooted deep in love and stories that just keep growing.
