The timing for this flower couldn't have been more perfect. In my garden, the round peony buds are ready to burst. We have here five different color varieties growing, from white to burgundy, with pink shades in between. I'm partial to the fluffy pale pinks myself, and decided to do my flower block that way. No particular color variety was ever designated for the state flower, so the choice is yours. Stitching it up was a slight comfort, as I'm again having trouble with deer in my roses. I didn't get them sprayed early enough this year, and then with all the rain, the deer return before I can spray again. Will have to cut them all back now; there's just nothing left to do. Here's the DEER REPELLENT RECIPE (pdf) in case you missed it--or need it! It works really great when it's applied.
So that's been a bit frustrating. But I am comforted right now by these gorgeous flowers, which are not nibbled by insects or deer. The only downside to peonies is they only bloom once, but what a glorious show it is.

Going back to stories of old, mischievous nymphs were said to hide in the petals of the flower, giving it the meaning of 'bashfulness' in the Language of the Flowers. Greek myth named the flower after Paean, (Paeonia officinalis), a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. When Asclepius became jealous of his pupil, Zeus turned him into a peony to spare him the wrath of his teacher. (No one's going to thrash a peony I guess!)
These beauties are native to western North America, as well as Asia and parts of southern Europe. Most are herbaceous perennial plants about 4 feet tall, but some types resemble trees and can reach over six feet. The leaves are fan-shaped, and deeply lobed. Flower heads are large, mildly fragrant, blooming in late spring and early summer. Once planted, it prefers to be left alone and sometimes may take several years to flower again if it's moved. Mine flowered again the very next season after transplanting--so although it's a possibility, it's not the rule.
Apparently, Indiana has had a long, tumultuous history regarding state flowers. It actually began with a carnation by Concurrent Resolution in 1913, but protests resulted because it was not a 'native' plant to the region, and the blossom of the tulip tree was substituted as the state floral emblem until 1923. Then, there were some shenanigans involving commercial growers and state representatives and conflict of interest issues that ushered in the zinnia in 1931. Apparently even the simple business of choosing a state flower is not exempt from corruption. Shocking! Eventually, this was over-turned, and the peony was granted victory on March 15, 1957; although it has also been subject to criticism because it is not native to the state, the flower has endured to the present time.
COLORS: Petals #602/603/776; stems & leaves #367
Stitches used were stem stitch (for outlines), and back stitch for the letters.
Images should be about 4 x 4-inches---to fit a 6.5" quilt block. To get the image:: RIGHT CLICK to save it as a file, or for size options--LEFT CLICK and use the flickr 'all sizes' link.
STITCH GUIDE: For general color and stitch guide; print out the original PDF Directions here:
STATE FLOWER QUILT DIRECTIONS