I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the Peony family. Unlike Roses, which can have a terrific fragrance or almost none at all, Peonies are like the Nursery rhyme about the little girl who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. And when she was good, she was very, very good, and when she was bad, she was horrid!
I approach a Peony blossom with some trepidation. It can look so, so beautiful - but how does it smell? I take a very tentative sniff. If it has a repulsive odour, I'm immediately disappointed. But if it has a lovely fragrance, I'm immediately delighted and go in closer for a better sample of its sumptuous perfume.
For the last two years in Castlegar there has been a Peony exhibition with 275 to 300 entries of amazing blossoms. I look forward to another one this year. It will be on June 9, 10 and 11th, at the Castlegar and District Recreation Centre. For more information, contact
[email protected]
Festiva Maxima
Festiva Maxima
