“Marry me and I’ll plant you 1000 peonies.”
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THE PEONY STORY ROOT GIFT & THE PEONY SEASON ROOT COLLECTIONS RETURN IN 2026
It all began with a proposal promise to plant 1,000 peonies—a gesture that grew into a garden and a mission to share the joy, beauty, and meaning of peony season with others
Today, our garden in Seymour, IL produces more than 1000 blooms each spring, which are shared freely with friends, strangers, fundraisers, and food pantries.
Our premium 3–5 eye heirloom peony roots are more than plants—they’re living experiences that return in bloom each spring, growing fuller and more meaningful with time.
All of our roots are grown in the midwest and harvested in the fall. We never import our roots.
Explore The Peony Story Gift, a keepsake gift that invites someone to plant a chapter of their own story.
The Peony Season Root Collections, curated trios of peony roots that bloom in sequence for nearly a month of color and fragrance.
Each root is part of a larger story—one that begins with love and continues to bloom, season after season for generations.
Kristin & Eric Swenson
join us in the garden!
Adoration Peony Garden at Main Street Botanicals
This Fall, visit The Peony Story pop-up shop at Main Street Botanicals in Mahomet, IL. The Peony Story Root Gift and The Peony Season Trios are avaliable through November 2025 or while supplies last. You can also order online for in-store pick-up
Be sure to take a photo in the dreamy peony book nook!
Media Features
These media features tell Adoration Peony Garden’s story better than we ever could!
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The real beauty of peonies Are The meaningful connections they create between others
We don't commercially sell our peony blooms; instead, they are donated to food pantries and community projects, workshops, and shared with those who could use a smile.
In recent years, we have been working to identify organized ways to share the joy of peonies from our private garden with more people while supporting programs in the community that serve causes close to our hearts.
Those causes are increasing access to education to help break the cycles of hardship, supporting families experiencing crisis, and providing resources to meet the needs of Veterans.
During peony season 2025, those visions came to life thanks to the outpouring of generosity and creativity from incredibly talented local collaborators who donated their hearts, time, talents, and resources.
Inside the PeonyGarden
Peonies blooms may look delicate, but don't let their beauty fool you
Peony roots are so tough that they can thrive for over 100 years and are resilient through harsh weather conditions.
They are slow to grow and can take as long as 3 years to bloom, but they are worth waiting for.
Love is the same.
A thousand peonies and a lifelong love story—neither happens overnight.
But both prove that the best things in life take patience, hard work, and growth through imperfections.
Learning and Growing Together in Every Season
Now in its sixth season, Eric continues to plant more each fall, working steadily toward his original proposal: 1,000 peonies for one big "yes."
As of the Fall of 2025, we are growing 26 known peony varieties, plus a few surprise varieties we’ve not identified yet!
We're always learning, experimenting, making mistakes, and dreaming about the future of Adoration Peony Garden.
This isn't a perfect garden. But it's a meaningful one. And it's meant to be shared.
Peony Varieties We’re Currently Growing
Coral Charm • Sarah Bernhardt • Mrs. Frank Beach • Leslie Peck • Duchesse de Nemours • Heidi • Kansas • Prince of Darkness • Pink Pompadour • Easy Lavender • Grover Cleveland • Honor • Paula Fey • Joker • Monsieur Jules Elie • Felix Supreme • Jan Van Leewen • Monsieur Dupont • Primevere • Celebrity • Coral Sunset • Bridal Shower • Red Charm • Pink Hawaiian Coral • Edulis Superb • First Arrival
...and a few surprises we haven't identified yet!
want to learn about Growing Peonies?
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook where we provide you with tutorials on how to plant peonies, care for peonies, and get creative with the blooms!
