The Fresh Market adds a splash of color with seasonal flowers

Fresh flowers are blooming at The Fresh Market, which, for a limited time, is now carrying Command Performance Peonies, a hybrid peony variety that changes color every day.

Command Performance peonies are grown in Southwest France in the region of Gironde, near the city of Bordeaux. The fully double-bomb shaped flowers are among the largest of all peony varieties. Once open, Command Performance peonies boast a diameter of up to eight inches with a spicy fragrance.

'The bursting buds transform into big, beautiful flowers that treat you to a spectacular transformation of colors,' said Peter Hrycaj, director of floral and gifts, merchandising at The Fresh Market.

Blooms start out red but turn brighter during blooming. After two days of blooming, Command Performance shifts its color from red to dark orange to salmon. Eventually it will turn from peach to cream to white. This wonderful metamorphosis has earned Command Performance the nickname “gobstopper.” The flowers also have a long vase life so consumers can enjoy them for a longer period of time. 

“The bursting buds transform into big, beautiful flowers that treat you to a spectacular transformation of colors,” said Peter Hrycaj, director of floral and gifts, merchandising at Greensboro, N.C.-based The Fresh Market. “Our careful curation strategy allows us to bring in the freshest, most vibrant florals throughout the year, including new Command Performance Peony flowers for the spring.”

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The Fresh Market is one of the only retailers on the East Coast offering Command Performance Peonies at its stores during this peak season. They are available in bunches of three beginning on May 12 while supplies last. A time-lapse video of the flowers changing colors can be seen on video here.

The Fresh Market currently operates 160 stores in 22 states across the U.S.