Peonies, a colorful flowering plant native to northern and central parts of the U.S., are now flourishing in Texas.
Photo: Courtesy of Texas A&M University / Flickr (CC BY 2.0) peonies are a group of trees, including some with the flower-bearing part called the crown, that grow in the same family as roses and lilies.
They’re popular in summer and fall.
Peonies are also a popular flower care item in Texas, which has been dubbed the “California of the South.”
Texas has been growing peonies since the 1970s, but the flower variety is often used for ornamentals and decorative plants.
It’s also used as a food crop, and in Texas it’s often referred to as “pea.”
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) said the plant was planted by the late Robert and Helen Ruck in a large greenhouses in south-central Austin, but it wasn’t the first time the family had used the peony as an ornament.
“The family had been growing the peonies as ornamental plants, and when the family came to Austin, they used them to make flowers for a show,” said TDA spokesperson Lauren McAllister.
She said the family also made a pot of peonies to sell as the family moved into their new home in Austin, which is located at the corner of University Avenue and S. Main Street.
The family was known for having a “unique style of making pottery” that involved carving peonies into shapes.
Peonies can be a little pricey, but if you buy the right peonies you’ll get something you’ll enjoy for years to come.
McAllisters said that the state had about 2,000 plants for sale on the TDA’s website in 2014.
“They are a great choice for people who want to be creative and take advantage of the many different types of flowering plants that are available,” McAllison said.
For more on the Texas peony, read this.