Short but sweet -- this peony mixed with some succulents, scabiosa and queen anne's lace* next to my bed at home.

Sometimes smaller is so much better, no? I made a big arrangement of these on Friday for a client. It was dramatic, but I prefer little tie ups like this one. I know I've been hard on the peony, but in the end it's my favorite flower. One by itself does the trick...

*in the flower market a few weeks ago; the owner of a prominent NYC florist was selecting material for a wedding...the salesman pointed out some really strong Queen Anne's Lace ... he scoffed; "Ugh! Weeds? Never!."

Emerson dubbed weeds as plants whose virtues have yet to be discovered. Another interesting take on weeds here from 1989 by M. Pollan.