These salmon-colored peonies were fresh from the farmers' market.

These were a day old, but still brightly colored.

This flower is four days old and beginning to fade, but still beautiful.

This flower is five days old and has lost most of the vibrant salmon color.

The color has faded, but the petals are still silky and textured.

The coloring has completely faded, but the petals are very beautiful...

Here, the stamens are standing out from the limp petals.

Stamens are getting limp and the petals droop...

Petals droop and yet the flower has a very beautiful texture.