Bright pail of posies

“Plush, pretty, playful…I just love everything about peonies,” raves Melissa D’Agnese, FIRST senior editor. “That’s why they’re my go-to flower when I’m decorating for a special occasion. My latest creation: a sweet hanging bouquet. To make it, I snip a dozen peonies in a range of pink hues—from bubblegum to fuchsia—to about 9 inches. Then I fill a 6" pail halfway with water and insert the blooms. To finish, I simply knot a length of twine around the handle of the pail and hang it from a patio chair. Between the rosy colors and sweet fragrance, it’s a wonderful way to greet guests and add a pop of color.”