It’s one of my favorite times of year . . . right up there with the first hint of Fall and the end of day light savings time–peonies are back in season! You can now easily find inexpensive armfuls of these fragile, fragrant blooms in a variety of colors.  Plan to buy them as tightly closed as possible because they will open quickly (overnight) and if you don’t intend to use them immediately, keep them in a cool, dark place until you want them to bloom.

Photo by Elizabeth Messina