Was trying to come up w/ a photo for the front of a birthday card for my niece Melia this past summer. She has always been a real girly-girl who loves anything pink. The PEONIES in my gardens were blooming at the time so this is what I did up for the front of her card.

I grow a ridiculous number of PEONIES. Truly among the most durable and longest-lived perennials (there are specimens known to be over 100 years old) they produce an extravagant display beginning in June, regardless of weather. They have no natural enemies, no exacting cultural requirements beyond full sun and they shrug off the cold Vermont winters. After it's stunning bloom is complete I am left w/ mounds of PEONIES glossy, deep green foliage which lasts the entire summer and then turns purplish or gold in the Autumn. Just about THE perfect perennial.

Pictured here is a variety called 'Pink Parfait' One of the larger ones I grow the blooms are filled with layers of dark pink petals. Incredibly fragrant yet the best thing about this variety is how they are touched with silver on their edges as the blossom matures. You can see the sliver edges just starting on the large open blossom in this photo.