Styer's Peonies Gears Up for 7th Annual Festival of the Peony in Chadds Ford

Styer's Peonies in Chadds Ford Township is preparing to welcome visitors to its 7th Annual Festival of the Peony, set to commence on May 17, 2025.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore fields adorned with more than 55,000 peony plants, showcasing approximately 250 distinct varieties.

Bruce Mowday, representing Styer's Peonies, highlighted the uniqueness of the event, stating, "Festival of the Peonies is an opportunity once a year where we allow folks to come into the field of 55,000 peony plants, 250 varieties."

He emphasized the exceptional experience offered in the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the peonies.

Established in 1890, Styer's Peonies has a rich history of cultivating these exquisite blooms.

By 1920, the farm had specialized in peonies, supplying markets in Atlantic City and New York City, and pioneering the wholesale peony market nationwide.

Reflecting on the farm's evolution, Mowday noted, "We started to supply the markets in Atlantic City, New York City, and started to ship nationwide."

He added, "We were one of the very first farms that started harvesting them for the wholesale market."

For gardening enthusiasts, Mowday offers a tip: harvest peonies when the buds are closed but soft to the touch.

This practice ensures the flowers bloom beautifully indoors.

He demonstrated the technique, explaining, "Something like this is what I would be looking for. Right here we have the sepal slip."

He pointed out the sepal, the outer green leaf-like part of the flower, which had pulled away from the bud.

Mowday continued, "We have some cushion on the top, and what I'm going to do is follow the stem all the way down—and right here—the leaf stalk—I'm going to leave that on the plant."

He concluded, "So I'm going to take my knife at a 45-degree angle—cut it right there—and this is how we harvest peonies."

He also cautioned against over-harvesting, noting that removing too many flowers can weaken the plant's roots over time.

Styer's Peonies will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through May 26, 2025.

Visitors are encouraged to experience the vibrant fields and take home freshly cut peonies at wholesale prices.

For more information, visit their official website.