The math is simple. Hot weather following wet days results in an overnight explosion of peony blooms.
After interminable lingering, with the slow march of time marked by the meandering of ants over the buds, all the flowers fully opened. Instantly. It happened so quickly that there was no time even to clip a few flowers for a bouquet. This year, the show is outdoors.
Because peonies seem to be such old-fashioned flowers--and rightly so, given the longevity of single plants--I follow some old-fashioned guidance for their care.
The 1947 edition of Roy E. Biles' "The Complete Book of Garden Magic" strikes just the right tone, even if we suburbanites can no longer burn our wilted peony foliage.
This is the rare book that combines useful information, strong narrative voice, and charming illustrations. It gets the math.
