The bud stage of a Peony is the best time that I have found to cut the Peony for indoor bouquets. Within a day or so they open full and provide the maximum number of days for enjoyment. When I setup my garden at my home, two Peony plants were one of my first purchases. I was warned that one heavy storm would ruin the blooms, so I might want to avoid them in the garden. But their sweet smells and beauty were worth even a short bloom time each June.