The Peony Project

Peonies, sometimes called “The King of Flowers,” are native to Northern Hemisphere temperate climates worldwide, though some species occur only in certain areas of China and Tibet. Particular attention has been given to peonies by cultures in the Far East, where the flowers have been revered for their beauty and medicinal value for millennia.

The peonies pictured here were produced by “heritage” plants tended by my wife, Janet, in the gardens at our home in Newburgh. The 50- to 70-year-old plants originated from my mother’s garden, in Middletown, and from Janet’s father’s garden, in Newburgh. I have become a bit obsessed with the plants, and for a dozen years have photographed the blossoms each season–sometimes all of them, sometimes only a few; sometimes vibrant and lush, sometimes dry and dying–depending on the weather, my mood and the enthusiasm of the plants. With few exceptions, the photos were taken in situ, using only natural light. This exhibit is a sampling of the project–last count was at nearly 1,000 images of the flowers in the files so far.

You can purchase an archival print of any image in this exhibit for $120 for the size specified. Alternate sizes and/or framing may be available for some images. To purchase, or for more information, please email me at jnoveskyphotos@gmail.com