California’s weather has been unpredictable this year. Rainfall exceeded expectations, creating a cool, extended spring. The prolonged cool spell kept flowers in bloom longer, and peonies caught my attention.

Peonies caught my attention again as Coral Supreme and Coral Charm bloomed in April, right on time. Today, however, I spotted an unexpected late bloomer and added it to my lineup of peonies for photographing. Other peonies are also showing off their colors, from the pinks of Mons. Jules Elie, Mrs. F.D. Roosevelt, Princess Margaret, and Kansas to reds, whites, and bi-color varieties. Some are still budding, ready to extend the season—unless a sudden heatwave closes it early.

Several years ago, I planted Gay Paree peonies, but this season I noticed a few blooms popping up in random spots. Birds likely carried and spread the seeds. While most believe peonies won’t grow in warm climates, it seems birds disagree! I even found calla lilies in my peony garden, probably brought in by the same feathered friends.

My Red Charm peonies bloomed early, but today I discovered a bright red flower out of place in its row. Occasionally, stray colors appear in rows of known varieties, causing confusion with labeling and tracking. Over the years, I’ve tried various labels—metal stakes, permanent markers, even copper tags—but each solution had flaws. Finally, I tried color-coding round stones with spray paint. The rocks now act as markers, nestled next to each plant, though they still might get nudged around.

When cutting peonies, I take only the minimum stem needed for arrangements, leaving the rest for the plant to reabsorb. Planting them, on the other hand, is different in California’s warm climate. Here, the buds should be just below the surface, while in colder regions, they need to be deeper to avoid freezing. Some gardeners even use ice cubes to give the plants a chill, but with so many peonies, that’s not an option for me!