This year marks a milestone for the Alaska Peony Cooperative—a decade of bringing the world breathtaking flowers grown with care by hardworking families across the state. We are proud to celebrate this anniversary alongside them and honored to call the Cooperative a trusted partner in sharing the beauty of Alaska-grown blooms. What began as a bold idea to join forces has blossomed into a thriving network of farms, each rooted in Alaska’s rugged beauty and dedicated to sharing one of nature’s most cherished flowers: the peony.
The story of Alaska’s peony industry is as extraordinary as the flowers themselves. Research into peonies as a specialty cut flower began in 2001, and it didn’t take long for adventurous families to see the potential. Farmers began planting rows of peonies in Alaska's unique climate across the state, from coastal communities to the heart of the interior. By 2015, the Alaska Peony Cooperative was formed, allowing growers to achieve more together than they could alone.
Family-run farms are part of the Cooperative, each pouring dedication and love into every bloom. When you purchase from the Cooperative, you’re not just buying flowers—you’re investing in families, supporting local agriculture, and helping Alaska’s cut flower industry flourish.
To learn more about the cooperative, revisit our Details University Live session with Martha Lojewski, Executive Director and Sales Manager of the Alaska Peony Cooperative.
Alaska’s climate gives its peonies a natural advantage. The flowers grow lush and full with long summer days and cool nights, boasting vibrant colors and unmatched longevity. Alaska’s growing season stretches into late summer, well after peonies have finished blooming in other parts of the world. This extended season has allowed the Cooperative to meet demand during peak wedding months, becoming a trusted source for florists and flower lovers around the globe.
Over the last decade, the Alaska Peony Cooperative has built a reputation for quality and consistency. Every stem harvested is a testament to the care of its farmers, who work tirelessly to nurture their plants through unpredictable weather, long days, and short growing windows. It’s a labor of love that shines through in every bloom.
Peonies are treasured for their soft fragrance and romantic petals; with the right care, they can remain radiant long after leaving the field. The Cooperative’s farmers know that longevity begins when the flowers are harvested and pass this same wisdom on to their customers.
Once peonies arrive, placing them immediately into clean, cool water helps them settle and hydrate. Giving the stems a fresh diagonal cut with sharp clippers encourages better water absorption, and repeating the trim every couple of days keeps them vibrant. The environment matters too—peonies last longer when kept in cooler spaces away from direct sunlight or heat. For those who need flowers to open quickly, such as for weddings or special events, warmer water and a brighter room will gently coax the blooms to unfurl. Removing leaves that would rest below the waterline keeps the vase clean and fresh.
With these simple practices, Alaska peonies often last a week or more, filling homes and celebrations with unfolding layers of beauty. Combined with the state’s naturally extended bloom window, these flowers bring joy at a time when peonies are a rarity elsewhere in the world. For more peony care resources, check out The Peony Journal, where cooperative members share valuable tips on caring for peonies and insights into growing them season after season.
As the Alaska Peony Cooperative celebrates its 10th year, it continues to embody the pioneering spirit of the farmers who started it all. Each season brings new opportunities to share Alaska’s flowers with the world, strengthen the local farming community, and inspire the next generation of growers.
We are grateful to celebrate this milestone alongside the Alaska Peony Cooperative and proud to call them a partner in supporting family farms, advancing the floral industry, and sharing blooms that embody Alaska's beauty. What began with just a few pioneering families has blossomed into a lasting legacy—a tribute to resilience, collaboration, and the timeless elegance of the peony.
Here’s to ten years of flowers, families, and the future—and to many more decades of Alaskan-grown peonies gracing homes, weddings, and celebrations everywhere!