Peony Season is here! Are you ready for it?

By KELLY McVEY
President, Indiana Peony Festival, Inc.

The Indiana Peony Festival, established in 2021, created the Indiana Peony Trail to celebrate Indiana’s state flower, foster community engagement and beautification, and support environmental sustainability. By transforming Noblesville into a premier destination for peony enthusiasts, our organization has established peony gardens in various businesses, public buildings, parks, and nonprofit locations.

To enhance our trail, SMC Corporation of America collaborated with us to develop the Peony Passport, an innovative tool for peony enthusiasts! The passport, available both physically and digitally, serves as a guide to navigate the trail, discover different peony varieties, and track progress. This initiative aims to provide peony enthusiasts with more exposure to our state flower beyond the festival weekend.

Pick up a FREE peony passport at one of our three listed locations, at our Hospitality tent on festival day, or engage on your journey virtually by visiting any spot on the Peony Trail. We hope that you will relish the trail and the peonies as much as we do!

Peony Passport pickup locations

• Noblesville Ace Hardware: 603 Westfield Road, Noblesville
• Just Lagom Boutique: 876 Logan St., Noblesville
• Promenade Trails: 17780 Navigator Trail, Noblesville

Peony Planting Day

We were honored to host a special planting day at two meaningful Noblesville locations, each celebrating community, legacy, and the beauty of peonies. From the new Hall of Fame Courtyard at Noblesville Schools to the historic courthouse grounds, these plantings symbolize both deep roots in our community and growth for future generations. Each location tells a unique story of connection, recognition, and support for the Indiana Peony Festival.

Noblesville Courthouse Planting

At the Noblesville Courthouse, we were proud to plant stunning Sarah Bernhardt peonies thanks to the generous support of our premier sponsor, Smith’s Jewelers. This iconic peony – celebrated for its full, romantic blooms – is the featured variety of this year’s festival and inspired the design of the commemorative charm created by Smith’s. Known as one of the most beloved peonies, the Sarah Bernhardt perfectly represents the timeless beauty and charm that draw people to the festival each year.

Noblesville Schools Hall of Fame Courtyard

At Noblesville Schools’ new Hall of Fame Courtyard, peonies were generously donated and planted by CCHA attorneys in celebration of the inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The evening marked a historic moment for the district, honoring distinguished inductees including Julia Kozicki – who not only helped plant the peonies but is also a member of this first class. This planting serves as a lasting tribute to the achievements and legacy of those recognized, creating a space that will continue to inspire students and visitors for years to come.

Peony Beautification Sponsor

GKM Property Services has been instrumental in the creation of our trail. Specializing in landscaping and property services, GKM caters to homeowners, municipality leaders, property managers, and others in central Indiana. This spring, as our Beautification Sponsor, GKM will be transforming our park, courthouse lawn, and other Noblesville areas with their expert landscaping services. Additionally, they will enhance the beauty of our (new!) Ninth Street music lounge by adding stunning flower boxes. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness GKM’s exceptional work on festival weekend.

Learn more at IndianaPeonyFestival.com.