Drying has been a gentle and proven method of preservation for thousands of years. Not only food, but also plants can be dried easily and without much effort. This also applies to the easy-care peonies…

Dried peony leaves can be brewed into tea

Drying petals for tea

The edible petals of the peony can be dried to be used later, for example for tea. They smell intense, are colorful and give off a pleasant aroma to the hot water in the tea.

You should harvest and dry the petals as follows:

  • harvest the flowers shortly after they open
  • alternatively, just pick individual petals
  • Leave the petals to dry on a tray or wooden board in the shade
  • gentle drying is also possible in the dehydrator
  • Duration: 2 to 5 days

About 1 teaspoon of the dried petals is poured with 250 ml of boiling water. Among other things, the tea has a positive effect on health:

  • helps with spasms in the gastrointestinal tract
  • relieves gout and rheumatism
  • helps with respiratory inflammation and diseases
  • promotes menstruation

Collect and dry the follicles

Whoever collects the follicles of peonies will soon be able to take the seeds out of them and dry them. However, they are difficult to germinate or must first go through a cold period. It is therefore better to remove the peony seeds and sow them immediately. With increasing storage they lose their ability to germinate.

Suitable varieties of peonies for dried bouquets

Bridal bouquets in particular are often dried in order to be able to remember the wedding visually even after many years. But not all peonies are good for dried bouquets. The petals of many varieties fall apart as they dry.

However, these varieties have proven themselves:

  • Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima'
  • Paeonia lactiflora 'Jan van Leeuwen'
  • Paeonia lactiflora 'Kansas'
  • Paeonia lactiflora 'Lady Alexandra Duff'
  • Paeonia lactiflora 'Shirley Temple'
  • Paeonia officinalis 'Alba Plena'
  • Paeonia officinalis 'Rubra Plena'
  • Paeonia hybrid 'Coral Charm'

tips

Not only the flowers, but also the roots can be dried and used, for example, for tea infusions or sitz baths.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden