They are a heavenly yet fleeting sight in the garden, and one we anticipate for months. If you love peonies as much as I do, you will want to encourage their blooms to radiate through the garden for as long as possible.
Herbaceous peonies can grow to be very large shrubs, and when in full bloom often succumb to falling over owing to the weight of their huge heads. I see it all too often in front yards - glorious peony plants covered in tight buds and full of promise, only to bloom then flop and lose all their petals during a heavy shower; their floral show cut short for the season.
