Cast-Iron Peonies!

OK, "cast-iron" might be an exaggeration. But they must be pretty strong: they survived the move! As I mentioned in my "Landscaping!" post, my biggest fear about installing the raised beds this year was that the peonies couldn't handle the move. (I'm still unclear about whether that's a legitimate concern, or a gardening myth.) Either way, I've been holding my breath for a while.

Even after I saw the buds emerge, I wasn't confident. After all, the plants themselves looked so small and feeble. And thanks to all of the wind we've had this spring, the leaves looked downright crisp on some days. But lo and behold, the buds -- few in number, but evidently healthy -- opened up last week, with all the usual allure of those big, full flowers and intoxicating scent. It looks almost like gardenia, doesn't it?