Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Yesterday was a nearly perfect gardening day. Early morning showers cleared to a sunny afternoon in high 70s, and last night a final glance through the upstairs window before bedtime revealed an animated starlit sky.
My first view outside each morning is usually from that same window from where I have a bird’s eye view of the entire back garden. Yesterday the sight of scattered peony petals sent me scurrying outside through wet grass to catch the last bits of Paeonia ‘Coral Charm’ until next year.
After using one stem in my Monday vase, I had watched the rest of these gorgeous flowers all week as the aging cycle transformed their crisp structures of deep coral pink into softer, paler symbols of grace. Sad to see them go I have enjoyed observing them through each stage.
Tuesday, April 21
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Thursday, April 23
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Friday, April 24
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
All but two buds on this peony had opened precisely the same time so this and the rest of the blooms had fallen by mid-day.
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
The remaining two buds will be appreciated a few days longer. Both opened quickly and were fully awake by late morning. Fortunately at this time of year there are other garden delights now and ahead.
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
pbmGarden 
I love peonies and your photos with the raindrops were so lovely.
Thank you. We had a good many rains this week, which may have hurried along the peonies. Very windy too.
Beautiful photos. I remember noting this peony down last year.
Thank you. I ordered a second one and just got it planted this week.
I really like this vignette, especially the photos with the shed and shedding petals. It completes the story. Lovely photos, all.
Thanks Tina. The shed petals intrigued me. I took lots more photos than I thought I should share, including them holding little pools of rainwater, etc.
Beautiful depiction of the circle of life. My peonies are barely broken through right now so thanks for sharing yours. 🙂
Thanks Judy, once mine started growing there seemed to be no stopping them. Hope yours will bring you joy.
Beautiful at every stage of its development, they are really wonderful in a vase, they last so long!
Hi Pauline. I did save one of the last two for Monday’s vase. Peonies have a bigger than life quality.
Such delicate colours – I particularly like the coral shades.
I agree with you Malc. I’m not a huge fan of pink but I love coral, salmon, apricot hues. Hope you and Jude are feeling well and enjoying lots of garden time.
Their beauty may be fleeting but its wonderful nonetheless. Thanks for sharing it in all its stages, Susie.
Glad you enjoyed it Kris. So many parts of gardening are just that way–fleeting. Keeps up coming back every year! Thanks.
Wonderful series on the all-too-short life of this gorgeous peony, Susie. They are such an ephemeral delight!
Thanks Eliza. This one knows how to leave an impression.
I have seen coral charm in brochures and admired its charms. Yours is lovely and now I fancy I might have to order one
Thank you, I think you will be pleased with it.
Exquisite! And the fact that the flowers are so fleeting makes them even more precious. I bought Coral Charm last year, I can’t wait for it to bloom.
Oh, I do hope you will love it!
Beautiful photos Susie! I think the fact that peonies are so fleeting makes them even more special. 😃
Thank you Cathy. Yes, the rarer they are, the more we want them! Human nature.
Sweet peonies, even the fallen petals.
Didn’t want to bore everyone with too many pictures but I took way too many of the shed petals!