Peonies in Tbilisi

Peonies with delivery in Tbilisi: varieties, bud stage, and the short spring season

The peony is a flower that needs no explanation. A full, globe-shaped bud, dense layers of petals, a light honeyed scent — that's enough for the bouquet to speak without a label. In Tbilisi people choose it when the occasion matters: a wedding, an anniversary, a graduation. Not to tick a box, but when they want the bouquet to do the talking.

The peony has a natural tie to Georgia, too: in the forests of Lagodekhi in the east of the country grows the wild yellow Molly-the-Witch peony. It doesn't go into the catalogue — it's a protected species — but it's a reminder that the region is no stranger to the peony.

The category covers single-variety bouquets from 9 to 51 stems, mixed arrangements with roses, lisianthus, and eucalyptus, as well as hatboxes for weddings and corporate orders. The cut peony is an honest seasonal flower: the main volume arrives in spring and early summer, and out of season the catalogue is topped up by imports through Tbilisi airport.

Which varieties to choose

Each variety solves its own task — from a classic romantic bouquet to a complex wedding arrangement. They differ in bud shape, palette, scent, and vase life.

• Sarah Bernhardt — a soft pink-salmon double bud with a lasting scent. One of the most recognised wedding varieties in the world, the default request for ceremonies.
• Coral Charm — coral shifting to peach as it opens. Good in modern arrangements.
• Karl Rosenfield — deep crimson-red, a dense bud, an intense scent. A classic for milestone bouquets.
• Festiva Maxima — white with a crimson fleck at the centre. The most photogenic white peony, a classic of wedding floristry.
• Duchesse de Nemours — snow-white with a cream centre and a light scent. Suited to the bridal bouquet and white ceremonial arrangements.
• Itoh hybrids (Bartzella, Cora Louise) — a cross of herbaceous and tree peony, blooming larger and longer than the usual ones.

The bud stage and why it matters

The key rule when buying peonies is the "marshmallow" stage. That's a coloured but still soft bud about the size of a walnut. If it springs back slightly under your fingers, it will open in 1–2 days and last 7–9 days. A hard, green one may not open at all; one already fully open will last 2–3 days at most.

Every lot goes through a hands-on florist check against this criterion. Only "marshmallow" buds of the right firmness go out for shipping — so the recipient sees the full bloom cycle, not the final stage. If you need open peonies for a specific date, name it when ordering and we'll select a lot with the right head start.

Occasions and season

The natural peony season in the South Caucasus is spring and early summer, mainly May and June. In those weeks the market fills with fresh cut: the most affordable peony of the year. This coincides with the wedding season, the last school bell, and graduations — the peony traditionally goes into both the bridal bouquet and the table décor.

Georgia's main floral peaks — 8 March, Mother's Day on 3 March, and Valentine's Day on 14 February — fall in the months when the seasonal peony isn't here yet. Those dates rely on imports, which are pricier and less predictable. The peony's own time in Tbilisi is precisely that spring-to-summer window. For joyful occasions here an odd number of flowers is given — worth keeping in mind when you order.

"The peony doesn't forgive haste. If you want to impress, order 3–4 days ahead and let the bud open at the recipient's home. And remember: it's a seasonal flower — outside spring there's honestly almost none. A fresh closed peony beats a lot tired out by a week's transit."

— Tamar Gelashvili, florist with 11 years of experience

Delivery specifics

The climate of Tbilisi is humid subtropical. Summer is hot and often muggy, +30–33°C in July and August, above +35°C in heatwaves; winter is mild, around 0 to +5°C. For the peony the main risk is the heat and damp of a late cut: hot, humid air speeds up petal drop. Lots for events are built with an eye on the forecast, and until assembly the flowers are held in cold storage at +4…+6°C.

We deliver peonies in Tbilisi across all districts: Vake, Saburtalo, Vera, Mtatsminda, Sololaki, Avlabari, Chugureti, Didube, Gldani, Isani, Samgori, and the Old Town. Prices in the catalogue are in Georgian lari (GEL, ₾), paid by card online. The season is short, so for weddings and graduations order 3–5 days ahead — peak dates are taken early.

Care at home

Peonies in a closed bud keep at +4°C for up to 5–7 days. To speed up opening, move them to a room at +18–20°C. Cut the stems at a 45° angle, remove the lower leaves, use cool water, and change it every 1–2 days. A Chrysal sachet speeds up opening and extends the flower's life.

Don't place a peony next to fruit — ethylene from ripe apples and bananas leads to premature petal drop. On hot days, keep the bouquet in the coolest room, away from the direct flow of the air conditioner; on days above +33°C, move it to the refrigerator overnight — that adds 2–3 days. Message our manager and we'll help choose the variety and stem count for the occasion and budget.