May in Indiana has been all about racing for over a century, however since 2021 the city of Noblesville has worked to celebrate and bring attention to the beauty of our state’s flower, the much-beloved Peony. After a revitalization of Historic Seminary Park, the inaugural festival was held in 2021, bringing in over 10,000 people that year. More than 200 peony bushes were planted to beautify the area in preparation for the first Indiana Peony Festival and more have been added throughout the city. To highlight the floral fervor local enthusiasts have for the flower, Governor Holcomb also proclaimed that the third Saturday in May will now be known as Indiana Peony Festival Day.
Photo courtesy of Nocona Canaday-Flatt
Since the 1800s, peonies have been planted and blossomed around the Hoosier state. However, long before the peony came stateside, it was a staple of ornamental gardening and one of the oldest perennial cultivars. Though native to Asia, southern Europe, and the western parts of North America, both the small woody shrub and herbaceous varietals of this delicate bloom prove hardy through the trials of Midwestern winters. Although they don’t enjoy having their roots disturbed, with a few simple requirements met, peonies can add vibrance to your garden for around 50 years.
The peony grows in a multitude of colors from the rich crimson red of a Buckeye Belle to a light ruffly pink of the Sarah Bernhardt or the warm apricot of a Coral Sunset, all enriching the palette of gardens across the state. Many of those planted in Noblesville can be found on the Peony Passport, one of the many ways to celebrate the bud during its celebratory weekend.
Via Indiana Peony Festival website
There are a variety of ways to express your passion for peonies over the festival weekend, but the main event is held in Historic Seminary Park from 10AM-4PM on Saturday, May 16th, free and open to the public. This year, in addition to a variety of flower-featuring vendors, there will be live music by artists like Claire Arrivo and Zach Day as well as live painting by mural artist Alexandria Kirkham. You can even find music just a bit down the road along 9th Street into downtown, where musicians such as Kelli Ray Yates will be playing in spots like the alley near 9th Street Bistro (who happen to have a delightful peony-themed cocktail and mocktail).
Through the last five years, the festival has grown to include events and initiatives such as the Peony Trail and Passport, Peonies in the Park, and Brunch & Blooms. On the Peony Trail, visitors can see peonies around town and record those locations in a Peony Passport. Available both digitally and physically, peony enthusiasts can find local peony gardens throughout Noblesville to visit.
The gardens have been started and maintained by businesses like Debbie’s Daughters and Adrienes Flowers & Gifts. Many downtown businesses off Noblesville’s main square will also have window displays decorated with a peony theme. Non-profit organizations like Janus and Hamilton County Artist’s Association, along with public buildings like the Noblesville Fire Department, Courthouse, City Hall and our very own Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville, have planted blooms as well. Even parks beyond Seminary, like Dillon and Forest, have even more peonies to see. The passport has been organized by zones, which makes it easier for you to see multiple locations in fewer stops. You can share all the peonies you see by tagging @indianapeonyfestival on Instagram.
Primeval Brewing on Google
Brunch & Blooms, a brunch and retail crawl in downtown Noblesville, is running concurrently with the festival timing. Each stop will have special peony promotions, items, beverages, and more. You can grab drinks and bites from restaurants like Bica Café, Matteo’s, and Primeval Brewing. Find some floral teas or fun spices at The Spice & Tea Exchange of Noblesville or check out the new mahjong parlor at Linden Tree along with their other cute offerings. Visitors can also vote on their favorite merchant shop display after touring around.
This year, you can find our Hamilton East Public Library Outreach team tabling with seeds from our Seed Library, including Purple Prairie Clover, Plains Coreopsis, Sweet Thai Basil, and more. In addition, there will be themed stickers and bookmarks, plus you can sign up for a library card and our Summer Reading Program if you haven’t already. Our staff will happily talk to you more about our new ILS and the second A Night in the Stacks coming up in just a few weeks. Make sure you stop by and say “hello,” as you celebrate the gorgeous Peony out at Seminary Park. Keep an eye out for some upcycled decorations library staff have been working on in celebration of the beautiful bloom to be unveiled at the festival.
In the spirit of celebrating this floral festival, I have combed through our collection for some peony and floral-themed finds to enjoy alongside the blooms. Come check out some floral finds before or after stopping by the Peony Festival this weekend.
Floral Finds
Youth
Queen Marielle and the Fable of the Peony by James Menconi
Adult
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey
The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst
Mum’s the Word by Kate Collins
Adult Nonfiction
Peonies : beautiful varieties for home and garden by Jane Eastoe ; photography by Georgianna Lane
