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When asked about their favourite flower, most people will come up with classics like roses or lilies because these are some of the most well-known flowers around. But when it comes to hardcore sales data, it seems that peonies actually top the charts of the UK’s favourite flowers. Florists across the country are inundated with requests for peonies in all kinds of bouquets. Peonies signify romance, elegance, honour, wealth and abundance in the language of flowers.
They’re very versatile in terms of colour and meaning, so it’s no wonder they get used in such a wide variety of bouquet arrangements. They are massively popular for weddings, funerals, christenings, birthday flowers, and so much more. And it is not surprising; they are beautiful flowers and look great in any bouquet. But how did this once little-known flower become so popular? Here are a few reasons we can think of.
Social media - With the rise of social media, suddenly flower shops across the UK had a new way of showing off their beautiful creations, and peonies seem to be one of the most popular flowers for photographs. And once the ball started rolling in the floristry world, the rest of the world caught on and also started its love affair with peonies. Now they are seen in so many insta photos of flowers by post that you’d think they were the only flower around.
Rarity - Because peonies only have a short growing season, they are one of the rarer flowers you can buy in the UK. This rarity makes them special and particularly popular with wealthier flower shoppers who like the finer and rarer things in life. And once something’s snapped up by the elite, everyone wants a taste. So for the last few years peonies have been requested in a lot more flower delivery orders.
Smell - Alongside the internet hype around peonies, they are also very popular, when people send flowers in the UK because of how they smell. Their delicate but vibrant scent adds an extra pop to any room that is lucky enough to have peonies in it. Lots of people are starting to choose flowers based on looks and smell these days, and it is no wonder that peonies make the cut as they are winners on both counts.
Beauty - There is something very special about the look of a peony. Their bright, cheerful colour, and stunning petal formations are eye-catching from the off, and when you see the multi-colour effect that some flowers have, it is easy to see why so many people rank them so highly. Plus, because they come in so many shades, it is easy to fit a peony into any bouquet, whatever the occasion for having flowers delivered.
Weddings - Peonies have rapidly become the flower of choice for bridal bouquets over the past decade, and it is not hard to see why based on the above points. But they also symbolise romance, elegance, honour, wealth and abundance, which are all things you want in a marriage, so from a symbolic point of view, it is hard to think of a more apt flower than the peony. And because peonies have been so popular in the wedding circuit, they have got a lot more exposure in recent years, which have helped their boom on social media and the love for them in general across the UK. Some wedding planners are moving away from peonies as their flower of choice, but we reckon it will take more than that to diminish the nation’s adoration for this scented little flower.
