5 Tips for Growing Peonies
Peonies are one of America’s best-loved perennials. Their lush, early summer flowers are the height of elegance, yet the plants are as tough as nails. If you’re thinking about growing peonies in your yard or garden, here are some tips to help ensure your success.
Be Patient… It’s Worth It!
Peonies are long-lived plants that can thrive for a century or more. When mature, they can stand 3 feet tall and produce as many as 50 flowers each year. But it takes time for a young plant to get well established. If you were to dig up a mature peony, you would find a root ball that’s 3 feet in diameter and weighs well over 60 lbs. This is the infrastructure that’s required to produce armloads of flowers as big as bowling balls.
The root system of a peony is different from the root system of most other perennials. Peonies have two types of roots. Fine, fibrous ones that absorb water and nutrients, and tuberous roots that are as thick your finger and very brittle. The thick ones are actually underground stems with “eyes” that sprout new shoots.
Peonies are usually propagated in the fall. This involves slicing the knobby roots into pieces that contain one or more “eyes.” In the spring, the eyes swell, redden, and eventually sprout into stems.
A newly planted peony will usually spend at least two growing seasons developing a strong root system. During this time the plant may or may not produce flowers. But once there’s a substantial root ball to fuel flower production, you will get more and more blossoms each year.
Don’t Plant the Roots Too Deeply
Since some of a peony’s roots are actually underground stems, it’s important not to plant them too deeply. There should be no more than about an inch of soil covering the upper-most roots. If they are deeper than that, you will get a robust plant, but very few flowers.
During the first growing season, the soil will gradually settle around the newly-planted roots. Sometimes this results in the roots sitting deeper than intended. If this happens, gently lift the roots so they are at the correct level. If you decide to mulch the area, keep the root zone right under the plant bare.
Encourage Good Air Circulation
Peonies are tough plants with few natural enemies. But one disease to which they are susceptible is botrytis. Also known as grey mold, this fungal disease rarely kills, but it can disfigure the foliage, reduce the number of flowers and gradually weaken the plant. Signs of botrytis include blackened buds that fail to open, black spots on the leaves, and young shoots that rot off at ground level. Over time, these blackened areas soften and become covered with grey mold.
Botrytis is unfortunately quite common, especially in cool, damp weather. But plants that are infected one year may show no signs of infection the next year. Prevention is the best way to avoid the problem. Always plant peonies in full sun and make sure they aren’t crowded by neighboring shrubs or perennials. Years ago, gardeners often planted peonies in a row to create a freestanding hedge. This perfectly suits their need for good air circulation. When possible, it’s best to avoid planting peonies against a building or fence.
Know When and How to Cut the Flowers
Once your peony plants mature, you can cut as many stems as you like. But during the first few years, it’s best to cut just few stems and let the plants retain as much of their foliage as possible. This will give them the maximum amount of energy to bulk up their root system.
When the plants finish blooming, use scissors or sharp pruning shears to cut off the dead blossoms. Try to do this before the seed pods form. Remove the flower as well as about 6” of the stem. This will allow the rest of the foliage to hide the cut stems.
In years when botrytis is a problem, you should cut off and destroy any affected tissues before the mold spores can spread the disease. Otherwise, let the foliage grow until late fall. Once the leaves yellow, cut them off close to the ground. Gather and remove the cut foliage to minimize future disease problems.
Support the Stems
The flowers of double and semi-double peonies are often a little too heavy for their stems – especially when it rains and the blossoms get water-logged. Providing some extra support will help keep your peonies from putting their faces in the dirt.
One option is a peony ring, which is a 12 to 18” diameter metal ring with legs. A cage made from concrete reinforcing wire provides excellent support and the rusty wire quickly disappears under the foliage. Wood or steel stakes are another option. Place a stake on each side of the plant and then use twine to weave a supporting web. With a bit more time, you can also make an attractive and very effective support with bamboo or woven branches.
And What About Those Ants?
Peony buds release a sweet substance that attracts ants. The ants don’t harm the peonies and they have nothing to do with helping the buds open. If you are cutting flowers to bring indoors and want to make sure you don’t bring in any ants, you can either shake the flowers upside down or dunk them in a bucket of water.
To learn more about growing peonies, read: All About Peonies and How to Stretch the Peony Season.
Can peonies be grown in a tropical climate such as southeast FL?
Hi – I’m sorry to say that peonies do not grow well in Florida. The plants need cool winter temperatures in order to flower properly. Good floral shops will sometimes carry peonies. It’s not the same as having your own, but you could ask around and see if they could get you some.
Could young peonies be planted in a wide and tall container for a patio garden?
Hi Rachel, peonies can be grown in containers, but they perform better when planted directly in the ground. I would not consider them to be great container plants for a couple reasons. It takes several years for young plants to mature and reach blooming size. Also, peonies are only in flower for 2 weeks at best. The rest of the season you will have lush, dark green foliage, but no flowers. Lastly, peonies develop a very large and very heavy root ball. After a few years you’ll probably want to relocate them to an in-ground bed. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Can they be planted in New Hampshire? And would they do well next to my roses? Thank you.
Peonies grow very well throughout New England. Cold winters suit them. They will like growing near your roses as both of these plants prefer full sun and soil that doesn’t get too dry in the summer. Just be sure not to crowd them. Both roses and peonies are susceptible to fungal diseases, so it’s important to have good air circulation around the plants. Think about how big they will be when they mature and plan/plant accordingly.
How will peonies do in our zone 9B?
Hi Calvin – Sorry to say that peonies do not grow well in warm climates. They need a cold or at least a cool winter to flower properly.
I just received an assortment of peony starts. I will not be able to plant them for about a month. If I keep them in my refrigerator crisper drawer will that help hold them?
Hi Jeannie – Yes. Wrap them in a barely damp paper towel and then put them in a plastic produce bag. Leave the plastic bag partially open and check the roots weekly to make sure they’re not too wet. You just want to keep them from drying out.
I like the peony ring for supporting the plant.
Does Longfield and Gardens sell these rings?
Thank you.
Mary Jo
Hi Mary Jo – We don’t offer peony rings, but you can find them here: Kinsman Company.
I had a bunch of peonies that I removed from my Grandfathers yard last fall. I unfortunately couldn’t get them in the ground and placed them in a bucket and left them in the garage over winter. I planted them in the spring and they never came up. I went digging for one and they were mushy and had white mold on them. I’m assuming they are all gone, is that correct?
Hi Abi — I’m sorry to say that does not sound good. The roots may have frozen during the winter. If there are more plants to be had, you can dig them this spring before they get too big.
How come the red peony……seems to look burgundy or deep fascia? It seems alluring or rare. Is there something I need to add to the soil for it to be truly red?
Hi Ron – I don’t know which photo you are referring to. The soil has little to do with the color. Simply plant a peony variety that is the color you like. Here are two varieties with red/burgundy flowers: Black Beauty and Buckeye Belle. Kansas and Red Charm are two other classics with rose-red flowers.
When you reference a “mature” peony, can you tell me the approximate age and size? I ask because I’m wanting to purchase peonies that are as close to mature as possible. Thank you!!
Hi Jaye – A 5-year old peony will be approaching its mature size. I can suggest a couple options if you want to start with close-to-mature plants. Find someone who is willing to let you divide one or more of their plants in half. A couple years ago I revamped one of my perennial gardens and removed 6 mature peonies. A friend with a new house was more than happy to get them. Otherwise, just shop around for peonies that have been field-grown in large pots. Before buying, make sure the plant’s roots actually fill the pot and you’re not buying a small plant in a big pot. You could also contact a grower who specializes in peonies — they may have some large plants available. Give Peony’s Envy or Adelman Peony Gardens a try.
What is it the best way to divide a plant and when should it be done?
Hi Patrick – if your question is about how to divide a peony, you’ll find basic instructions in this article: All About Peonies.
Hi there. I planted a bare root peony last spring and was so disappointed that it never grew, but a few days ago it sprouted and now has several leaves. Did I plant it too deep?
Hi Lori – If it were me, I would carefully dig it up and check the depth. If the underground stems (from which the stems sprout) are more than an inch deep, replant it at the correct depth. Peonies do take time to mature, but it’s worth the wait!
How well do peonies transplant? Would it be better to just take a cutting and start a new plant?
Hi Jamie – It is true that peonies do not like to be transplanted, but if you do it in fall when the leaves begin to yellow or in very early spring before they leaf out, they will recover. It may take a year or two after transplanting for them to resume flowering. But once they take hold they’re fine. Just be sure to water deeply during the first growing season (unless you live where it’s dependably rainy) to make sure the roots don’t dry out while they are getting reestablished. The other option is to use a sharp spade to cut a chunk of the root away from the mother plant. In this case, early spring is the best time. Again, it will take a couple years for the new plant to settle in, but always worth the wait. I have never heard of growing cuttings from a peony. A root division is the way to go.
Peonies are such beautiful, fragrant flowers & I thank you for sharing these tips. I would like to have seen photos of the roots, eyes &fungus as well as some successful gardens as much as the flower ‘portraits.’
Thank you, Cindy. I wrote this article in March and didn’t have anything like that to photograph. I will definitely add those shots. Thanks for the suggestion!
What b
Varities are best for growing in Alaska?
What soil is best?
Herbaceous peonies are hardy to growing zone 3, which means they survive winter temperatures as low as -30°F. If you don’t know your growing zone you can find the USDA map HERE. So choose whatever varieties appeal to you. As with most perennials, peonies should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil. The root ball will grow to be a couple feet deep, so prepare a nice home for the plant, loosening the soil at least 18″ deep. Mix compost and an all-purpose fertilizer into the soil at planting time.
Will Peonies g r ow. In Colorado. Will they survive the very cold weather.
Hi Mary – Peonies are extremely cold hardy and will tolerate winter temperatures as low as -30°F.
I have about 130 peonies in our yard. I buy large tomato cages and cut in half making two peonie cages.
Hi Sandy – great idea! Thanks for sharing.
I have had great success with my peonies in Yukon, even though we can have temps in the -40s Celsius.
Hi Lise – Thanks for your encouraging comment.
What about Atlanta GA area? You say peonies require cold winters and it gets cold here!
Hi Kathleen – I guess “cold” is relative! It looks like Atlanta is in growing zones 7B and 8A. Peonies are usually recommended for zones 3-8, so they should do OK for you. Walter Reeves is my go-to resource for gardening in the southeast. He provides some good tips for growing peonies in Georgia HERE. Festiva Maxima (fragrant!) and Bowl of Beauty are both available from Longfield Gardens.
If i dig up my plant that’s been in the ground to check the roots, am i going to stunt the growth? I finally had a flower open last year, so i’m hoping it’s okay. Can they bloom one year and not the next?
Hi Susan – If your peony has already been in the ground for a couple years, try to avoid digging it up. Instead, you can gently pull some of the soil back from around the base of the plant to see how much soil is covering the roots. If it seems like more than about an inch, you can just remove some of that soil. Over time, this is sometimes necessary anyway, as mulch, frost action and such can gradually raise the soil level.
I’ve bought several different peonies from different companies and they always end up with what I’m assuming is botrytis (the buds turn black and never bloom). I’ve planted them in several different places in my yard with full sun. What am I doing wrong? How can I prevent this from happening?
Botrytis, like most other fungal diseases, can only infect plants if the foliage is consistently wet for a period of time. This is why fungal diseases are always more troublesome in summers that are cool and wet. You can’t do much about the weather, so the best strategy is to plant peonies in full sun (as you are doing) and make sure the plants are in the open and not crowded by other plants.
I used to have 8 beautiful peonies growing in a 3 foot deep perennial bed. They had been there for 20 years and sometimes would get a little botrytis, but it was never really a problem. Then I planted a yew hedge behind the perennial bed. The taller the hedge grew, the more the peonies suffered. Soon all of them were getting botrytis every year. They produced fewer flowers and the foliage was blotched with black spots. Since I wanted to keep the hedge, I eventually had to remove the peonies. The hedge was cutting off the air circulation that would normally have been helping to keep the foliage dry. I still have two peonies that are performing beautifully. They are located at either end of an island bed. There are plants on one side, but three sides are open to the prevailing wind. Hope this is helpful. Here is a good article from the Missouri Botanical Garden: Botrytis Blight of Peony.
Can I trim my peony plant down at the beginning of spring if I didnt do it in the fall?
Hi Kristi – yes you can. Just cut off the old stems close to the ground and take care not to damage the new shoots.
Can you use a ant killer spray on the plants to keep the ants off the plant or is it better not to use the insect spray on them
Hi Luterica – The ants are not a problem for the peony, so I let them live and do their thing. Even ants have an important place in the ecosystem of a garden.
Peonies flower in early summer, late spring… will the foliage remain attractive looking through the rest of summer or should it be cut back once the flowers have died ?
Hi Jean — Do NOT cut back the foliage. Peony foliage is attractive all summer and often turns pretty shades of gold and bronze in the fall. Cut the foliage back to the ground in late fall — after all signs of green have left the leaves.
Just yesterday we bought a few peonies at lowes – I couldn’t resist the price. The plants each have a few buds on them. We’re in zone 6 and will plant them soon. Any tips for giving these plants their best go? I know that in the end I may have spent unwisely.
Hi Mariah – Follow the tips in this article and your peonies should do well for you. You may also be interested in reading All About Peonies. If you want the plants to bulk up in size more quickly, fertilize them in early summer don’t let them flower their first two years in the garden. That means cut off the buds as soon as you see them forming. This will help the plant focus its energy on growing strong roots and lots of foliage. You’ll wind up with bigger, stronger plants. Enjoy!
When is the time to transplant a peony?
Hi Susanne – Fall is best, but early spring works fine as long as you it do before the plant starts growing and make sure that you replant immediately.
I have a peony’ that my sister paid a bunch for. First year not much as ecoected. Second year stunning flowers. 3rd year I grew a single stem very tall and no flowers. This year it appears to be doing the same. I do have soil high in clay and live in Oregon
Hi Kim – I would check the planting depth. Sometimes mulch and soil accumulate over the root zone, and this will inhibit bud production and flowering. There should be no more than about an inch of soil over the eyes. If that’s not the issue, try moving the plant to a different location in your yard. Sometimes that’s all it takes. Also – remember that peonies need all day sun in order to produce a good crop of flowers.
My peony is over 5 years old. It has several blossoms, but they never open. I even have ants on the blooms. What do you suggest?
Hi Rita – if the peony buds are hard and black, it may be botrytis. I recommend moving the plant to a new location where it will get full sun and excellent air movement on all sides.
Digging up a peony isn’t an easy job, but sometimes all it takes is moving a plant to a place with different soil and light conditions.
I have five peony plants that I dig up from my husband’s grandmothers property. I have divided them into more plants that now number to twenty. They have reached the ripe old age of one hundred and ten! They are healthy and strong. We just love them! Who would have thought they would have survived so long!
Hi Willie – How nice that these peonies can be a link to your family’s past. They are wonderful plants!
Hi .I planted two peony in my garden for the past three years and they Never produced any flower why is that ?
Need some advice please
Hi – It takes a couple years for peonies to start flowering. But if the roots were planted too deeply, they will not bloom at all. So check the planting depth and make sure the eyes (the pink buds on the roots) are no more than 1-2″ below the soil surface. Peonies also need to be grown in full sun or they will not flower.
I was given a couple of bags of peonies roots from cosco and they think they bought them a couple years ago. If I plant them, will they still grow?
Hi – Sorry, any plant that has been out of the ground for several years will be dead. They must be planted the same year they were purchased.
I propagated my Moms peonies (from Maine) well established and planted in Payson, AZ. We are dry but we are cold in winter with snow. I have planted in shady slope, but still burn each August but the keep returning each year. Would it be okay three years later to move from shaded south west corner of yard to north west so morning sun only or leave with in south west part of yard? I water weekly.
Hi Diane – Arizona is a very hot climate for peonies. They like cold winters, but they do not like hot sun or hot temperatures. The usual recommendation is to plant peonies in full sun, but since yours are struggling where they are currently located, I agree that you should try transplanting them — or at least some of them — and see if they like the cooler location better. In climates with very hot summers, it’s just as important to know how much heat a plant will tolerate as its cold hardiness. You can learn more about that here: American Horticultural Society’s Heat Zone Map.
I have to move a peony that has been there several years (20+) because of cement work, I plan to dig up as big a root ball as I can an put in a different spot in the yard. Should I cut back the foliage after I do this? Any other tips for transplanting at a bad time of year?
Hi Michael – The best time to transplant a peony is fall or early spring – before the leaves emerge. If that’s not possible, just do it whenever you must, but not when the plant is flowering or in midsummer when the weather is hot and the plant is in active growth. Handle carefully, water deeply to settle the roots and if possible, shield the plant from hot sun while it is getting reestablished. The plant will look sad and you may lose a year of flowers, but the plant is very likely to survive.
Do you know much about tree peonies? A local nursery has suffruticosa tree peonies. I am intrigued,. It having trouble finding much information on them.
Hi Danielle – I grow both herbaceous peonies and tree peonies. Both are wonderful. The biggest difference is that herbaceous peonies die back the ground in fall, while tree peonies are woody and behave more like a shrub. The flowers of tree peonies are also larger and usually bloom a little earlier than the standard herbaceous peony. The Missouri Botanical Garden has some basic information about them HERE.
If your planting peonies in the front of your house flower bed, what would you pair it with? We’re in Virginia.
Hi Sindy – Most sun-loving perennials are good companions for peonies. When selecting other plants, be sure to choose some that will bloom in mid and late summer. This way you will have colorful flowers in bloom long after the peonies have gone. You’ll find some suggestions in this article: 10 Easy Perennials for Sunny Gardens. Small shrubs are also good partners for peonies, as long as they don’t crowd or shade the plant.
I’m getting ready to landscape my yard in the panhandle of Idaho. I know they attach ants. I love peonies, but afraid of the ants. I know the ants don’t hurt the flowers, but have you ever encountered ant nest in your yard?
Hi – I am not 100% sure, but I don’t think peonies will attract ants to your yard. If ants are already around, you may see them crawling around on the peony buds. But as soon as the flowers begin to open, the ants leave. So it’s only a week or two that they are around. Probably not long enough to set up a home.
Do Peonies need to be in frozen ground or what would be the warmest cold they could stand? I live in western Fl. We have temperatures That sometime reach into the 20’s at night but not for very long. Is tihis still to warm for them?
Hi Linda – Unfortunately, herbaceous peonies do not grow well in zone 9. You may get some cold nights now and then, but these plants need to go through a period of continuously cold weather to initiate flowering. Intersectional peonies (such as Bartzella) and tree peonies are reportedly a little more tolerant of warm winters. You could give one of them a try, but zone 9 is still outside of their comfort zone and you’d need to consider it an experiment.
The heat zone map is very very small, and I can’t tell if we’re in zone 8b or 9. There are lots of peonies for sale at the nurseries, but THEY DON’T SMELL! And half the joy of peonies is the smell. I bought 4 bare roots from Adelman’s a few years ago and planted them in all the wrong places, and of course none of them came up. So my question is, do I have to give up the smelly kind, or should I try again and plant them correctly?
Hi Julie – sorry to hear you are struggling with peonies. Growing zones 8b and 9 are pretty warm for them. Peonies prefer zones 7 and colder. Some varieties seem to tolerate heat better than others. I have read that Mrs Franklin D. Roosevelt is one of those and it’s also very fragrant. The website Southern Peony is geared to people like yourself who are trying to grow peonies in warm climates. Hopefully you’ll find some good suggestions there. Good luck!
I have peonies that have been planted 30 to 40 yrs. my concern is the grass that grows up with them. We have covered with straw in the fall and paper but the grass is still there. What can we do love peonies but not the grass.
Hi Pam – Unfortunately, it’s pretty much impossible to remove grass roots that have wound themselves into a peony’s root system. I think mulching is the best thing you can do. Make sure the mulch doesn’t get too thick around the base of the plant as that will inhibit flowering. If the grass is coming in from the sides of the planting, creating a barrier will make it easier to get on top of the grass problem. Good luck!
My peony is about 10 years old and has always produced about 30 beautiful peonies until this year It only had two blooms. It looks healthy. Do you have any idea why it didn’t bloom as much this year?
Hi Sue – It’s hard to be sure what’s happening, but here are a couple things that can cause a peony to stop blooming. First is inadequate sunlight. Is your peony being shaded by nearby shrubs or trees? The light conditions in a garden often change over time. To produce a good crop of flowers, peonies need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, all season long. Next, have you checked to see how much soil is covering the roots? Over time, mulch, compost and soil can build up at the base of the plant. If the tops of the roots are more than about 1″ deep, the plant will refuse to bloom. Botrytis can also weaken a peony enough to prevent it from blooming. Did your plants have botrytis last fall? If so, fertilize them this summer and make sure there’s good air circulation around the plants to minimize this common fungal problem. Good luck!
Can you tell me the best fertilizer for peonies and when they should be fertilized. I have read that “fish emulsion “ is good to use. I don’t typically fertilize much. Thank you
Hi Kathryn – In most parts of the country, peonies perform better when they are fertilized. The plants require phosphorus and potassium and not much nitrogen, so a 5-10-10 ratio is good. Rotted manure is an excellent fertilizer as is any type of compost. The most important time to fertilize is fall or early winter, after the peony foliage has died back and been removed. Do not put the manure/compost/fertilizer close to the base of the plant. It should be kept away from the eyes, which can be damaged by concentrated nutrients. If applying compost or manure, make sure the eyes don’t get buried deeper than about 1″ — other wise the plant may not produce flowers. Once your peony is mature (4 years or so), you can fertilize it twice per year, in late fall when the plant is dormant, and again at flowering time when the plant is in active growth.
When is the best time to transplant ..
Hi Glenda – If you need to transplant a mature peony, the best time to do it is early October. Second best time is early spring, before the plant has leafed out. It’s possible, especially if you make the move in the spring, that you will lose one year of flowers. It may take two full growing seasons for the plant to fully recover and flower as normal. If possible water the plant deeply every couple weeks during the first season after the move.
Thank you !…👏🥰😇
you’re welcome!
There was a beautiful, healthy peony when we moved in 6 years ago, always full of blooms. Last spring, we had a late freeze that burned the foliage & it only made 3 blooms. This year, the foliage is healthy & full, but again only 3 blooms. Does it need to be divided?
Peonies will usually grow just fine without being divided more than once every 30 years or so — and they often go longer. If the plant looks healthy and full, it probably doesn’t need dividing. I’m not sure what’s happening, but here are two ideas: not enough sun (could a nearby tree or shrub be starting to cast too much shade?); eyes are too deep (brush the soil away from the base of the plant – there should be no more than 1″ of soil over the root sections that produce shoots); do you cut back the plant in the fall? Peony foliage should remain on the plant until October. Also, sometimes a late frost will kill the flower buds while the plant is just getting started. Hope this helps!
I just planted my 1st peony plant 2 weeks ago. We are going to get snow and freezing temps tonight and tomorrow. Should I cover it since it’s newly planted or will it be ok?
I’m in Colorado zone 5b.
Hi Melissa – Peonies are very cold hardy. You could cover the area with a shovelful of mulch, but I don’t think there’s really any reason to worry. Let’s hope this is the last of the cold weather!
Thank you!
Hi! I have 5 peonies I purchased from Longfield gardens. I live in northern Illinois and my peonies are already big with buds on them! This is their third year, but we had a few blooms last year as well. My husband and neighbor call them mutants because all the other peonies in the area are just coming up. I admit i’m a little afraid of fertilizing 😉
Hi Lala – Haha! So glad to hear that your peonies are growing well and you are already getting lots of flowers. Fun to know those plants should continue blooming for another 50 years or more. Enjoy!
What can I do about the white powdered mildew on the stem of my peony plants?
Hi Judy – Mildew is a fungal disease. It usually appears when there’s too much moisture and not enough air circulation. Is your peony in a crowded garden bed or is it planted near a building? The best way to avoid fungal problems is to improve the air flow around the plant so the foliage stays as dry as possible. This makes it more difficult for fungal diseases to take hold. For an immediate fix, you could try applying an organic fungicide, which should be available at a local garden center.
My peonies look great in spring and early summer but then get a lot of ugly mildew on the leaves. This is after the blooms have all died. What can I do to prevent this. We live in the interior of British Columbia.
Hi Marlyn – Like botrytis, mildew is a fungal disease. Some varieties of peonies are more susceptible to mildew than others. And the incidence is higher in wet years than in dry. You can’t prevent it, but you can take steps to minimize the effects. Make sure your peonies are getting as much sun as possible. Keep the foliage as dry as possible. This includes pruning or tying back nearby plants to encourage good air circulation. Good luck!
I live in California zone 9a and have no trouble growing peonies on the north side of the house. Every year they are loaded with beautiful blooms. Sometimes in warmer winters, I put ice on the area where they are planted to fool them, but most times that is not needed..
Hi Pam – Thank you for chiming in! In-the-garden experience is so valuable. There are lots of warm-climate gardeners who want to grow peonies and they will appreciate knowing about your experience.
I live in Petersburg VA, and have had my peonies for a few years. I have noticed that ants swarm the buds and eat holes in them. Yet, in this article, it states that ants do not harm the plants. I beg to differ, unless I have a different breed of ants. When they swarm the buds, I have used liquid seven to get rid of them and it seems to work fine.
Hi Michael – that’s interesting. I have never heard of ants doing any damage to peonies. Might be a different type of ant, as you suspect.
I received a peony in a planter back in March. I live in west Texas 8a. I’ve never had a looney and have no clue what to do. I have areas of full, partial and full shade in my yard.
Hi Teri – Peonies should be planted in full sun. Everything you need to know about them can be found in these two articles on our website: All About Peonies, and 5 Tips for Growing Peonies.
We have peonies growing where we just moved. The plants grew buds but the flowers never opened. They are in full sun. What would you suggest?
Hi Shanna – Check the depth of the roots — they should be covered with no more than 1″ of soil. Fertilize the plants this summer. If they are old, it’s possible that the soil is depleted and they are lacking in nutrients. If the plants are old, they may be root-bound and in need of dividing. Do this in the fall. Botrytis can also cause plants to produce small buds that do not open. Watch for signs of that and follow the recommendations for how to avoid it.
My order for 7 peony plants has just arrived. I am a new grower. Six of the bags had lovely roots with several little green leaves so they appear quite healthy. Unfortunately, the 7th bag, that of Black Beauty, is very disappointing. It is a large woody root kind of dead looking. There are 4 small roots all looking old and not very healthy. One of them barely attached. They are attached at different locations on the large woody one. I can’t tell where the eye is to plant it upright. I am very disappointed in this one. I paid $16.75 for it and the sale ones look so much healthier. The receipt said there would be 2-3 eyes and I don’t see anything. What now?????????
Hi Joan – I am sorry that one of your peony roots was less than great. Please contact our customer service department. If we are out of Black Beauty, we will either issue a credit or make sure you are shipped a new plant next spring. You can contact us by email or call us during business hours. You’ll find that information on our website (at the bottom of the home page) or HERE.
Have you ever heard of a miniature peony?
Someone gave me what they called a mini peony and I’ve not found any information on them. It flowers like a single petal peony but the leaves are real different very lacy.
I have never cut my peony down as you suggest as I never knew I should they are beautiful every year.
Can you grow peony from seed?
Hi Darlinda – The type of peony that I think you are describing is called Peonia tenuifolia or fernleaf peony. It has lacy foliage and single, dark pink or red flowers. It grows less than 2 feet tall. Here’s some information about it from the Missouri Botanical Garden: Paeonia tenuifolia.
We moved into a house with beautiful mature peonies, but they are all falling over with buds. I’d like to support them, and was intrigued by the idea of building a support with sticks and twine. Do you have any pictures or drawings to demonstrate how to do this by chance? I also like the idea of repurposing something over buying whenever possible!
Hi Mary Anne – I just wrote a blog post about using sticks to create plant supports: How British Gardeners Support Their Perennials. I did not see many peonies supported in this way as the plants get so large and the flowers so heavy — likely too much for peonies.
There’s a technique I have never tried, which involves weaving a grid of twine between wooden stakes. It is used at Hildene, a historic home and public garden in Vermont (where I live). It was described in an article in Horticulture Magazine and I remember saving it, but can’t put my hands on it now. Part of the article was reprinted by Old House Gardens. You’ll see a photo, diagram and instructions from the gardener herself: Supporting Peonies. Good luck!
When we moved in our home 11 years ago we had two adult size beautiful peonies Our ex-neighbor mowed over the new shoots, one of them never came back, but the other gets new shoots but hasn’t grown tall nor flowered. We keep hoping it will come out of it. Is there something we can do to have flowers again?
Hi Connie – I think you should dig up that remaining plant (in the fall) and divide it in half. It will be a JOB, so get some help if you need it. Then replant only half of the plant at the recommended depth — after loosening the soil and amending it with compost. It will take a year or two for it to recover. I’m guessing the roots may have gradually become covered with too much soil and other organic matter (from grass clippings). That’s a big reason peonies stop flowering. The others are too little sun and age (when peonies get old and the root mass becomes too dense they need to be divided so there’s room for young roots). Good luck!
I was told that you can cut your peony bush back after it blooms and it will bloom again. Is that true?
Hi Diane – that is not true. Peonies will not bloom twice in the same year. Do not remove the foliage until it yellows in the fall. If you cut off the foliage during the growing season the plant may not bloom at all next year.
I used to have beautiful peonies. Unfortunately the ants always came and ate out most of each bud as it was swelling. I watched them doing this with my own eyes. The plants still survived but dealing with the huge ant population made me give them up. They r so beautiful though and smelled wonderful.
Hi Susan – I have never heard of ants eating peony buds. Sorry to hear you had this problem. Hopefully you have some neighbors who are willing to share a few stems during peony season!
Hello. I purchased a peony from m an online store, put it in 3 or 4 yrs ago, and I’ve never gotten any flowers from it. I purchased a peony from a local nursery and it’s huge! And the are only 8’ or so apart. I just move the little guy this year to see if it didn’t like the location.
Any ideas?
Hi Sandi – That’s exactly what I would have recommended. It can be tricky to get the planting depth correct when you are planting a root rather than a potted plant. Make sure the roots are just below the soil surface. Hopefully that plant will be happier in its new location and start flowering.
I have a couple of peonies in my back yard that are quite large. I have split them up a couple of times and have some grates to support them. But they are still so big they don’t stand up well. Could I separate them again and maybe use what people use to support tomatoes.
Hi Brigid – Any type of support is worth a try, but I think your peonies will quickly outgrow a tomato support. If the plants are tall and the flowers are doubles or bomb-types, an effective support needs to come 2/3 of the way up the plant in order to be effective. The best support I’ve found for really large/tall plants is reinforcing wire, cut to size and made into a circle that surrounds the plant. It’s a job to make these, but they last a very long time.
Why does some of my peonies blooms don’t flower out.
Hi Teri – No flowers usually means the plant is either not getting enough sun or the roots are too far under the soil surface. You’ll find some additional tips about growing peonies here: All About Peonies.
Thank you for sharing your peony knowledge! They are my favorite flower and I have a few in my yard that have to be moved ASAP to make way for construction. I know this is the worst possible scenario for them. Do you have any tips for success? I’m also stumped about a new location. I live in NC and full sun seems like a death sentence in this case, but would a cooler shadier spot in my yard be a long term problem? Is hot southern morning sun enough for them? I’ve also thought about putting them in a pot in the ground in the shade for the summer, then putting them in the ground in a sunny permanent home in the fall.
Hi Colette – In relatively warm climates like NC, peonies grow well in partial shade because they don’t like extreme heat. I have often put plants in a temporary location until I can move them to a permanent spot. Moving any plant during the growing season is stressful because they are working so hard to maintain their foliage. But if you dig the largest possible root ball and keep the roots consistently moist and the plant cool and well hydrated, it should be OK. You may not get flowers the first year after transplanting, but peonies are remarkably tough. Good luck!
Please detail how to cut and preserve buds for later forcing.
Many thanks in advance.
Hi Julie – I have never done this myself. Here are links to three articles that explain how to do it: Storing Peonies to Bloom at a Later Date, Storing Peony Flowers for Later Use, Save Peonies for Later On.
I received two peonies from a friend who had dug them from her garden. I planted them within a day of being dug up and have made sure that the soil has been kept well watered. It has been 2 months and the plants haven’t grown any leaves. They are still green so I know they are still alive. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to help these poor little plants?
Hi Peggy – I think those plants will be just fine. It sounds like you have been doing all the right things. Peonies grow very slowly and truly hate being transplanted. Keep pampering them until September when the leaves will naturally begin to yellow. When completely yellow/brown, cut them off near the ground. Next year, you may or may not get flowers. Sometimes it takes a full season for the plants to get reestablished. As long as they get full sun, good air circulation and the roots are not more than an inch deep, you can look forward to lots of flowers.
My peonies are three years old. In the spring they have nice shoots but I end up with stems that look like twigs with one or two leaves. I live in WV and have clay soil. What can I do to get the peonies I love?
Hi Betty – peonies need full sun, good air circulation and rich, well-drained soil.
You could dig up the plants and then rework the soil by loosening it to a depth of 12-18” and adding a large amount of compost. Mix well so it is nice and fluffy, then replant and see if that makes a difference.
You could also plant some new, good-sized potted peonies rather than replanting the weak ones you have now. This will give them a head start.
do peonies do well on the oregon coast?
Hi Judy – Peonies should grow well for you. Make sure to give the plants a sunny spot. To minimize problems with foliar diseases, there should be good air circulation on all sides of the plant.
I love peonies. Some of my plants are over 60 years old and have been in my garden for 45 years. They were transplanted from my parents and they transplanted them in 1967 from a previous garden. They seem to love the cold temperatures we get in Manitoba. Once they get started and have grown for a few years they really seem to take off. Because of the cold and frost I usually plant them a little deeper then suggested and they seem to do well.
I have 2 peonies that I transplanted 2 years ago from a different area to our garden in a row next to 3 peonies that open beautiful flowers in the summer and recently now added 3 more plants to our garden but the newest ones only get about a foot or 1 1/2 feet tall never do much else, do I have them planted to deep
Hi Jay – the best way to find out is to carefully dig around and locate those underground stems. If they are more than 1″ deep, you can lift the entire root ball and reposition it.
I plan to move next spring or early summer when my house sells and would love to take my peonies. What would you recommend?
Hi Martha – dig your peonies in very early spring — as soon as the ground is soft enough to work. Dig carefully so you get as many roots as possible and break as few as possible. Either replant the root balls in a temporary holding area, put them in large pots/containers, or put them on a tarp in a shaded place and cover the root balls to keep them from drying out. Get them back into the ground as soon as you can — ideally before they start to leaf out.
In regards to the author’s advice to “….Try to do this before the seed pods form. …”. Really? What not leave the seed pod follicles on and enjoy their interesting ornamental interests? Some of which are colorful.
Why rob the gardener of further visual enjoyment, just because one may like keeping things trimmed?
Thom
Hi Thom – I think the plants look much neater with the spent flowers cut off. This also encourages the plants to put energy into next year’s flowers rather than forming seed pods that won’t be used. But that’s one of the fun things about gardening. You get to do whatever you want!
Hi there! Thanks for all the good info on peonies! I had to dig some up just today. We had a sudden need to replace some fencing and they would have gotten trampled. The plant had been there for about 40 years! It already had tall greenish red Sprouts. I know it wasn’t ideal but I couldn’t avoid it! I think it will be ok (although maybe not flower) but what do I do with the foliage? Should I cut them back? Or let them go?
Hi Michelle – I would just let them go and see if they survive. If the leaves wind up wilting and browning out you can cut them off at that point. When replanting, make sure the stem roots are still positioned pretty close to the surface. It may take 2 seasons before that plant gets back to blooming normally, but don’t give up. They are tough!
Hi! I planted several roots last fall, most did very well except 2 or 3 in one area that when it rains it tends to get waterlogged –
Some of the leaves are not doing well, can I transplant it and use a fungicide?
Also I planted a few roots on May 2, in NJ, will these roots be okay?
Hi Rachel- You can try transplanting the peonies out of that wet area. Most plants don’t grow well in soggy soil. Take a look at the roots when you dig them up. If portions of them are soft and decaying, it’s probably best to start over with new plants. If the plants you just put into the ground are in well-drained soil and you planted them at the correct depth, they should be fine. It usually takes 2-3 years for them to begin blooming and 5 years to mature.
Hi- I jus bought a peony pot. There’s 1 little bloom starting. I’m based in NYC- low 40s high 60s this week. Should I wait til the fall time to transfer the plant to the ground or should I do it now? Thank you!!
Hi – Go ahead and put it in the ground. Peonies are very cold tolerant.
I have two peonies with about 40 buds on each. I am so excited! Is it okay to cut all the blooms off each plant to use in floral arrangements, or do I need to leave some blooms on the plants? I know I need to leave the leaves on the plants until they die back in the fall, but I am not clear about the extent to which the blooms can be harvested each spring. Thank you for your advice.
Hi Betty – good question. When you cut a stem, you should leave at least 2 sets of leaves on the plant. The general rule for commercial growers who are harvesting peonies is to remove no more than 1/3 of the total leaf surface of the plant. Hope this helps!
Hi, I planted a couple peony tubers with one eye each in a large pot 2 weeks ago. I live in MA. Today I noticed that one of the eyes which had opened up a bit had detached from the tuber. It’s very soft. Is this normal? If not, what might be going on?
Hi Naomi, The sprout could have been damaged in transit. Could the soil in the pot be too moist? It’s best to let the soil get almost dry between waterings. This will reduce problems with fungal diseases. There should be plenty of energy in the root to send out additional shoots.
Hello,
Will you be tell me if I can plant peony roots in a stone bed? We just got our yard done and have landscaping stone garden beds instead of mulch beds. Would peonies grow through that.
Thank you!
Hi Janaya – You don’t say how deep the stone mulch is. If it’s only a couple inches, that may work, but honestly I’m not sure. Peonies have two types of roots (shallow and deep). They need access to nutrients and moisture, which soil provides, but stones do not. Best approach may be to dig out an area in the bed that’s 12″ in diameter, remove the stones and replace with soil, then plant your peony.
I have my peonies in a pot and this is their second year. But I noticed that the sprouts have yellow leaves and they don’t look healthy. What’s should I do? Should I change the soil in the pot (miracle grow garden soil for flowers) or should I leave it alone and repot in the fall?
Hi Chris – we don’t recommend growing peonies in containers. It’s an OK short term solution, but the plants will never thrive as they do in the ground. Yellow leaves can indicate so many different things. Probably a good idea to repot the plant and evaluate the condition of the roots. They should feel very firm. If not, the soil may be too wet.
Are there any Varieties of RED or Crimson Peonies? I’d love to have some red ones.
Hi Beth – Yes, there are quite a few different red peonies available. Here are a couple to consider: Buckeye Belle, Black Beauty and Red Charm.
Hello, I live in zone 6b, should I trim the peony down in the fall? Or do you just let it grow?
Hi – Let the foliage remain until it is completely yellow, then cut off all the stems to a length of 1-2″. Learn more about caring for your peonies here: All About Peonies.
Hi. I planted a new peony plant 2 years ago and it bloomed last summer but has not started to show new growth this year (live in Canada) . My other peony plant has started new growth. Is there anything I could do to save the 1st? Thanks
Hi – If your peony doesn’t sprout soon, you could carefully dig around and investigate. That’s really the best way to figure out what’s going on. If you find the roots to be firm and healthy, maybe it was just planted too deeply. If so, raise the roots so the eyes are just 1-2″ below the soil surface. If you find that the roots are soft, it’s likely they have rotted and the peony will not live. Next time, choose a different planting location or amend the soil and raise it up to improve drainage. Hope thi shelps.
The biggest and most robust of my peonies appears to have thrips for the second year in a row. The thrips are attacking the buds which then never open. I’m thinking I may need a systemic insecticide as this is a recurring issue. Do you have any recommendations for getting rid of the thrips? Thank you
Hi Lori – Unfortunately, thrips are very difficult to eradicate. Here is a link to an article about thrips from the University of Alaska Extension Service (cut peonies are a big commercial crop for Alaska). They have some cultural recommendations as well as a list of recommended pesticides. Spinosad, which is on the list, is considered organic. Note that you have to control the thrips before they get into the buds or the pesticide won’t be effective. Hope this helps: Managing Thrips in Peony Crops.
Hi there, I just purchased a beautiful peony plant and transplanted it into an enormous container but I know it will eventually be root bound. What can I do then to reduce the size of the plant but keep the same giant container? Can I root prune?
Hi Seth – Honestly, I don’t know how well or for how long your peony will perform in a container. Most of the information I’ve found says they will grow in a container, but should eventually be planted in the ground. Also not sure about root pruning. Peonies usually resent being transplanted and may sulk for a couple years afterwards. To me this suggests that root disturbance will have an adverse effect on growth and blooming. Please report back on your experience so I can add any tips to this post. Thanks!
Hi
I have tree peony that has been in a twenty inch pot for seven years. It has never bloomed. I’m pretty sure it is root bound. This fall I would like to plant it in the ground. However with it being root bound how would you go about managing the roots so that it will not harm the plant.
Hi Shelby – Peonies generally do not perform well in containers. They will grow and may even produce a few flowers, but eventually they need to be in the ground. The best time to transplant and divide peonies is in the fall. Cut the stems short and then upend the pot. Gently pull away the soil (easier when the soil is dry) or spray the roots with water so it’s easier to see what’s going on. If the roots seem too crowded, you can use a large knife to cut down through the crown and separate the clump into two or more pieces. You’ll wind up slicing through some of the tubers, but just do the best you can and make sure each chunk has a lots of growth eyes. Good luck!
My peonies need to be moved about 18 inches..it is almost June and I need to move them then they are mature plants will this damage the plants and will they bloom next year. I live in NC and these plants came from my parents years ago about 25 yrs dont want to lose them?…any suggestions. Thank you
Hi – Peonies do not like to be moved, but when it’s necessary, fall is the best time to move them. At this point the plants have had all summer to store energy for winter and the next year. You may lose a year of flowers, but take care in the moving process and your plants will recover. We cover the basics in this article: All About Peonies.
I purchased bare root peonies and planted them in April, I live in NC. Some of them are already coming up but I realize I planted them way too close together. When would be a safe time to relocate a few of the plants? In the fall perhaps?
Thank you!
Hi Susan – It’s probably fine to dig them up now and relocate. It’s likely they are just getting started on creating new roots. My only concern is that you live in NC and hot weather is just ahead. If you do dig them up, do it very gently so you don’t damage the new roots. Water them in well after you plant, shield them from hot sun, and then continue to water regularly while they are getting re-adjusted.
I purchased 12 varieties of peonies and planted them this past fall. All but one have sprouted and some even have strong stems with flower buds coming up. What should I do about the last one that never came out of the ground? I tried removing about half an inch of soil from the area a few weeks ago and still nothing. Should I dig it up now or wait and try and adjust it later?
It’s likely the plant is dead. Go ahead and dig it up to assess the situation. Plants can die for many, many different reasons. Over time you’ll find that sometimes they thrive, sometimes they struggle and sometimes they just die. Losing just 1 out of 12 peonies is a very good average!
My peony in pot since last year have about 9 buds. but they all small. How can I fix that. my other peony in ground have only 3-4 buds but it look bigger. I don’t know what to think
Hi – While it’s possible to grow peonies in containers, the plants will have fewer and smaller flowers, compared to peonies that are grown in the ground. There’s not really a way to get around this. Peonies are large plants and to perform their best, they need to be planted in the ground.
Do you have an idea how old the peonies are that they sell at box stores like Home Depot or Lowes? I bought a few and they already had buds on them… New gardener over here, I enjoyed reading your article! Thank you
Hi Lin – When you purchase bare root peonies (from a box store or from us) you receive a root cutting that was taken from a mature plant. Because these are divisions, age doesn’t really apply. The new plant may produce a flower the first year, but more typically, flowering begins the second summer. Peonies usually take 3-5 years to mature. Enjoy!
I planted a peony near my false indigo. Dummy! Now it is in the shade. It is May 30th in NC, zone 7. Should I transplant it now or wait until fall? TY!!
Hi – At the beginning of the season it’s hard to remember how big some plants get! You can move your peony now if you dig carefully to avoid damaging the new roots and are able to pamper it a bit. After the move, keep it well watered and give it a little shade. Otherwise you can wait until fall when the foliage starts to yellow.
Hi there
My pink peonies changing colour this year.2 pink peonies started as beautiful pink and it’s fading colour and turned white. It is very upsetting.
Can you suggest any remedies? I live in London,’UK
Thank you
Hi – Many flowers change color as they mature. Some varieties change more than others. They often open a deeper color and gradually fade. So this could simply be a characteristic of the peonies you have.
Hi, I planted a tree peony and a herbaceous peony a few feet apart but now they are kissing cousins. I read my tree will spread another couple of feet. Should I move the herbaceous one now? The tree peony has been planted about seven years the other about four. It is a full sun with good circulation around both plants.
Hi Sophia. Hard to say how big your tree peony will get as it depends on your climate. Where I am in zone 4, they rarely reach 3 feet x 3 feet. But in warmer zones they can be 6 feet tall. One thing peonies do not like is being crowded. So I agree with your idea about moving the herbaceous one now while you still can. Do it in the fall and take your time so you get most of the roots and disturb them as little as possible. Enjoy!
I have a Peony bush at this point. It’s now in it’s 3rd growing season and has produced approximately 37 blooms of which each is approximately 8 inches in diameter and the most beautiful yellow and most fragrant flower I’ve had. It is planted alone in full sun and definitely gets plenty of water/moisture, to add to all of this I am in Idaho. I do also have 3 other peony plants in my front flowerbed with roses as well and they produce pink, white or a mixture of the colors between the ones I have planted. For those who do have or want to plant peony plants do as the host of this article says, watch your planting depth, make sure they get a great amount of sunlight and yes, from what I’ve watched over the last 3 seasons, it’s worth the wait. Year 1 – 7 blooms. Year 2 – 13 blooms. This year, year 3 has been approximately 37 blooms and each was 8 inches in diameter and so beautiful.
Hi Stephen – thanks for leaving a comment. So glad to hear your peonies are flourishing.
I have six peony bushes in a row. One is a double burgundy. Another is a single red with a yellow center. These two are about 20 feet from each other with four more different color peony bushes in between. Both bushes have been in this location for about 38 years. This year, for the first time, a flower from the single red with yellow center opened on the double burgundy bush. Did you ever hear of this happening?
Hi – I haven’t heard of this happening. Maybe the single red seeded a while ago and that new plant is finally coming into bloom?
Hi Kath,
I am in northern NJ zone 7. The tree peony is originally from VT just outside Brattleboro so maybe it will behave like it and stay smaller! I accidentally cut it all the way back when I bought it, not knowing to treat it differently. But it is flourishing now and just had its largest amount of flowers, 14. The front of the plant which is touching the other peony is about two feet but the back is almost four feet. I will move it in the Fall, I am petrified but will treat it gently. Thanks so much!
I finally have a tree peony that’s surviving in my zone 4 garden, but this year it has only 1 bud rather than the 3 it had last year. Not going in the right direction! Good luck to you!
Our peonies bloomed for the first time this year. Is is harmful to cut all the blooms off to enjoy inside? I understand the majority of the leaves need to remain on the plant, but is it harmful to cut the single bloom of a relatively new plant?
Hi – No harm at all. Cut and enjoy!
Hi! Thanks for the info. My Sarah Bernhardt peonies agave been great for ten years. This year they are just really not growing well. Do you have any ideas what is going on? Thank you!
Hi Jean – when peonies start producing fewer flowers it’s usually due to one of two things: a diminishing amount sunlight due to neighboring shrubs or overhead trees, or mulch and nearby soil has accumulated around the base of the plant and the roots are now too deep. Remember that peonies use their foliage all summer long to produce energy for next year’s flowers. Watch the angle of the sun through the season and notice and how much light the plants are getting.
Hello, I have pink peonies – had them for a few years now- and they bloom a lot, but for a year or two they started to smell bad. I have about 6 bushes and 4 of the are very fragrant and 2 started to smell bad.
Do you have any ideas why it might happened and any solution- what might be done?
Thank you!
Hi Helen – Not all peonies are fragrant. Some varieties have a wonderful fragrance, some have very little smell at all and some have a smell that’s not very appealing (to me at least). I have never heard of a peony changing its fragrance, though sunlight and temperature can definitely have an impact.
From my understanding peonies do not like to be moved once planted.
Hi – That’s true, but sometimes moving them is necessary. Lots of people have peonies in their gardens that were transplanted from another location. They may have moved to a different house, the plants may have belonged to a relative who is no longer around, or the garden had to be reconfigured due to a home addition or new landscape plan. Avoid moving them when you can, but forge ahead if you must.
Hi Kathy I live in Wisconsin great for growing peonies. I have many peonies and Intersectional peonies. They have been in the same areas for quiet some time for the most part but now this year for instance Salmon Dream and My Bartzellas are much smaller than usual and not even half the blooms. I haven’t fertilized the soil in a while. But I’m wondering I have a lot of babies to take care of. 😊
Hi Sheryl – Some of my peonies have fewer blooms this year, too. Most of mine have been in 20+ years. Last year my 4-year old Itoh had 4 blossoms, this year only 1. Yet I have seen other gardens nearby with fabulous peonies. Hard to figure out what’s causing what. I’m thinking it may be due to reduced sunlight as the trees in my yard get larger and cast more shade.
Are peonies deer resistant?
Hi – Yes they are.
I have a beautiful peonies blossom every year . This year by mistake I have cut the foliage of my peonies in July . Is there I can do to make sure the plants survive summer and flower next spring. Again it was a huge mistake to cut them so early.
Hi – If this is a well-established peony, it should be fine. They are very tough plants. You may not get flowers next year, but once the plant rebuilds its reserves, it will probably be just as good as it was. This summer you can pamper the plant by keeping it watered. If you haven’t already fertilized it this season, do that now (in early summer). Don’t worry too much about your mistake. A few years ago, I had to move a bunch of mature peonies in the middle of the summer. Much of their foliage was damaged in transit. All of the plants survived and some of them even produced a few flowers the very next summer.
Thank you for your response. What kind of fertilizer should I use. Is there anything in particular you might suggest.
Normally I would recommend an all-purpose granular fertilizer 5-5-5. But it takes time for those nutrients to become available. So I would apply some of that but also feed your peony with a faster-acting soluble/liquid fertilizer. A fish/seaweed blend would be good. You could also put some compost around the base of the plant.
I just received some peony roots in the mail when to.plant how to keep until that time..they are like dry pieces of roots thanks in advance
July is too late to be planting bare-root peonies. They were probably divided last fall, so at this point are almost a year old. Better to start with fresh divisions either this fall or early next spring.
I have mature peonies (at least 10 years old). I have always only cut off the flowers after they have finished blooming and I do NOT cut the foliage. My mom is living with us and was helping me out in the garden and she “trimmed” my peonies for me after the blooms were spent because she thought it looked messy. She has never grown peonies because she lived in Florida prior to moving in with us here in Michigan. When I went to look at how much she had trimmed, she had cut half of the foliage off. There is still foliage left fortunately, but way less foliage that in previous summers when I just cut the spent blooms off. It will be ok right? It is a mature plant and I think maybe next year, I won’t get as much flowers but it will bounce back if I go back to just trimming the dead flowers off next year and leave the foliage alone. My mom knows now that she should never cut the foliage of a peony!
Hi Martin – Oh dear. Your poor mom and your poor peonies. Mothers are driven to be “helpful” — we just can’t control ourselves! 🙂 As you say, you may get fewer flowers next year, but the plants will be fine. Since it’s still midsummer, you could give them a drink of liquid fertilizer to give them a little extra boost.
I was just given a very tiny cutting off a small peony rose. Still has roots on it it precious. It was my mom’s. What’s the best way to grow that. If it dies. I’ll be very upset. Right now I have it in a small pot outside. Any help would be very much appreciated Thanks.
Hi – Is the plant a peony or a rose?
I have very old peonies 40+ year old, I notice that every year less & less flowers grow, could it be they are getting too deep? What happens if the foliage is cut right back after bloom, does one damage the plant or maybe prevent blooms for the following year. Any suggestions, I live in Toronto, Ontario
Hi Claudia – You should let the foliage grow until it turns yellow in the fall. The plant needs the entire growing season in order to produce enough energy for next year’s flowers. It’s very possible that your peony is now deeper than what’s ideal. In the spring, the knobby red growth points on the roots should be right near the surface (sort of like rhubarb). If the first thing you see is stems, the roots may be too deep. To correct this problem means digging up the plant, which will be no small feat. But, you could use this as an opportunity to divide off some pieces to plant elsewhere or to share with friends. Best time to divide a peony is in the fall — September where you are.
I bought my first peony plant [no flowers yet] this year and have it in full sun on my patio in Vancouver. It’s been doing ok so far and learning more about being patient with the flowers coming through. I have read that the plant would like a mild winter to recuperate for next year but I would like to know how much water the plant is allowed during this time. Vancouver has very wet winters and I could move the plant under an overhang during that time. Is that recommended?
H Ines – is your peony growing in a container? If the pot is well-drained and you have used a high quality growing mix, it will probably be fine. If it’s in the ground, and the soil drains well, it will probably be fine. And don’t worry about whether the winter is mild or not. Peonies are very cold tolerant (they thrive where I garden in zone 4 with winter temps to -30F!). Though peonies won’t grow in soggy soil, they don’t mind winter cold and moisture.
Hello! I planted 8 tubers in late April/early May of this year, zone 5 (Chicagoland). As of today 6 have sprouted but are only 3″-4″ tall. Is this a normal growth rate? They are in a sunny area.
Hi Diane – Honestly, this is pretty slow even for peonies. But don’t give up on them. There may be a lot of growth happening underground. OK to give them a dose of liquid fertilizer now (August) to nudge them along. Hopefully next spring they will be ready to put on some good top growth. It’s not unusual for it to take 2-3 years to get flowers.
Hi – After reading your article I went to shop for peonies on the Longfield site. Reading the information section for the Bunker Hill peony it says to plant it 2″ deep whereas your article says no deeper than an 1″. Which is it? thanks
Hi – We recommend 1-2″. On the deeper end in cold climates and shallower in warm climates.
My new daughter in law in Colorado LOVES peonies and I want to give her some for their new house. I read to plant them late September, but there was a freak snow storm last night. Could I still send her some bare roots – or should I wait until next September?
Hi Tami – Yes, crazy weather in CO this week! Peonies are not harmed by cold weather. They can be planted any time during the fall — ideally at least a month before the soil freezes so they have time to establish some roots.
[…] to this article, it can take the peony plant years before it blooms, but it’s definitely worth waiting as […]
Hi! I have some Sarah Bernhardt coming soon. They are saying that they have 5 to 7 eyes on each root. Could I plant them in the same “million dollar hole” ?
Like within a few inches from one another? Would that make for a stronger root ball? I have 24 other peony plants, but never have attempted this crazy notion! My Sarah Bernhardt that I’ve had from 1999 started morphing last year and this year it was an ugly Whit semi double with an ugly yellow stamens. Just not a handsome flower at all. I can’t stand not having a Sarah, so this crazy thought crossed my mind! What think ye??? Hahaha
Hi Shelley – I’m not 100% sure I understand your question. But if you are replacing a plant that now has undesirable flowers, I would dig that old one out entirely before planting the new one. Otherwise they will compete with each other. Take your time when digging it out (and get some help if you need it). It is difficult (but worth it) to make sure you get all the roots out because even small chunks will regrow and could eventually dominate the new plant.
Kath, my husband was bugging me to hurry because he wanted me to do something! As I read back my question to you above here ^ it still did’nt make sense. I’ll start again 😬. We dug a new hole that won’t compete with any other of my peonies. I have two (2) new Sarah Bernhardt peonies coming in the mail. Could I put them together in a new nice big hole? Can that be done? Would that make for a big strong root ball? Or should I just put them in separate holes, that would be 3 or so feet apart from each other?
Hi Shelley – I can’t find a definitive answer, so here is mine (based on my own experience growing peonies). I would plant both of the roots in the same big hole, spacing them 5-6″ away from each other. The roots you will receive are simply divisions from a mother plant. Though they may not come from the same plant, in the recent past they were growing in a large clump. You’ll be replicating those conditions. Peonies grow slowly and this way (as you say) you’ll have a more mature-looking plant more quickly. Peonies can be happy growing in the same spot for many, many years. It’s unlikely those new plants will become root bound any time soon. Good luck!
I have taken over the care of my mom’s peonies, which have been growing in a raised bed for the past 20+ years and have been neglected for quite a while. Some of the soil has eroded from around the base of the plant, and the exposed parts look like old wood. Some are still producing flowers but not nearly as many buds as they used to. Wondering if there is any way to bring these back to life, or would it be best to just dig them up and start new? I have never grown peonies so appreciate any tips!
Hi Mandy – Peony roots that are sold commercially are divided from larger plants. So you can do the same thing. It sounds like you have multiple plants. If it were me, I would start this renovation project with just one or two of them. That way you can learn along the way and not risk losing the whole lot. Dig up the entire plant (fall is the best time) and put it on a tarp. This will be difficult and you’ll need to go slowly to avoid damaging the brittle roots. Put the root ball on a tarp and use a strong stream of water to spray off the soil so you can see what you are doing. Then divide off some large chunks that look relatively young and vigorous. Loosen the soil in the hole and backfill with 1/4 compost and 3/4 soil. Then replant the best chunk of roots, taking care to not plant too deeply. You can gift some of the other chunks and/or plant them in a nursery area as backups. It will probably take several years for these divisions to bloom, but then they should bloom for another generation. Hope this helps. Good luck!
I’m just starting to landscape my yard here in Destin, Florida (panhandle). I absolutely love peonies and would love to have one, but do they thrive in this climate? I believe we’re in zone 7-8 and sandy soil (close to the beach). Thank you!
Hi Jennifer – peonies grow best in cold climates, but that doesn’t keep many gardeners from trying to grow them as far south as Florida. This article provides some tips: How to Grow Peonies in Warm Climates. Hope it helps. Good luck!
I have a Peony Bush around 17 years old. It has several dead tubers on top of the soil with 1/3” holes in each one of them. The plant continues to spread out and around these dead tubers and continues to bloom very well. Can I assume the dead parts are not important or should I dig up the plant and remove the dead parts. Do the holes mean it’s a bug infestation? The dead parts have been there for 2-3 years. Thanks for any information!! Shari in Indiana Zone 5b
Hi Shari – I have checked several sources and can’t find any references to borers causing problems on peonies. I don’t think you need to worry about it. Digging up the plant would set it back and reduce flower production for several years. You could chop out the dead part, but it would be very difficult and I don’t see any value. Hopefully the plant will continue to thrive in all but that one area.
It appears that my peonies are breaking through the dirt. I have already cut them down and noticed these red colored rootlike points sticking out of the dirt. What do I do?
Hi Vicky – Don’t worry about the red tips. It’s a sign of good health! Those are the growth points for next spring. It’s normal for peonies to form these in the fall. If you live in a very cold climate, you can put a few inches of shredded leaves on the soil surface to insulate the plant. But peonies are extremely hardy (to growing zone 3!).
Hi! This was very informative, THANKYOU! I think one of my peonies has that mould you mentioned…. what’s the best way to treat it? (I divided one of my peonies, and swapped it with a friends divided peony, and it’s that Peony that has the mould…. I really don’t want it spreading to the others!) I’m in Tasmania Australia.
Hi Petra – If you are referring to botrytis, don’t worry too much about it. This disease is very common and most people who grow peonies see it around now and then. Even healthy, vigorous plants will sometimes have some stems that turn black. Cut away the diseased stems and focus on taking good care of the plant. Make sure it’s been planted in well drained soil that doesn’t get soggy. Give it a low nitrogen fertilizer in the spring and make sure there is very good air circulation around the plant. Peonies hate being divided. Once the plants get reestablished, they will be strong enough to cope with future infections. Good luck! (Have always wanted to visit Tasmania — hope to still do so!)
We’ve had temps reaching 60 in RI this week. Can I still plant peony tubers?
Hi Lynn – it’s pretty late to be planting peonies, but if you already have the roots, the best place to store them is in the ground. Since they will not have time to establish roots before winter, they may not survive. Covering the planting area with shredded leaves or some other mulch will insulate them from cold and buy a little time.
I have 2 peonies in one pot that are 10 years old and bloom beautifully every year ,can I put the two of them in the ground without separating them they are tree peonies about 4 ft tall I’d hate to lose them now .Thank you .
Hi – Glad to hear you are having success growing tree peonies in containers. Once you have transplanted them into the ground, they will grow very large and can live a long time. I think it would be worthwhile to consider separating the two plants. When you take them out of the pot, gently remove the soil from the roots and take a close look at the roots. If it seems like you can tease the two plans apart, do so. If they simply can’t be separated, go ahead and plant the entire root ball in one hole. The plants may not grow as large as they would if separate, but since they have been happy together in a container, they will probably perform very well in the ground. Do take note of the planting depth and make sure to choose a spot with plenty of sun and well-drained soil.
I just received some bareroot tree peonies that I ordered months ago.It is january in zone 6a -ground mostly frozen-do I keep in fridge ,keep in soil or peatmoss in unheated garage(around 40 -45 degrees) or plant them outside
Hi Gary – those bareroot tree peonies are probably dormant. If so, try to keep them that way until you can plant in the spring. Holding them at temps of 40-45 degrees F should be good. You’ll need to keep them from drying out, yet not allow too much moisture or they may rot. Lightly damp peat moss usually works pretty well for this. Good luck!
Hello Kath:
I have those peony sprouts potted and placed outdoors last week close to the house windows, the weather is currently in the 40s F, but it will be very chilly in the 20s-15sF for the next couple days. So, must I move these pots indoors or in the garage, or just I leave them outdoors at where they are now?
(btw, I will transplant them into the ground of the front yard which is North side, next fall).
Thank you in advance,
Peony
Hi – hopefully you were able to move them somewhere a bit warmer while the weather was so cold. Another option would have been to cover the pots with plastic and then layer a bunch of old blankets on top.
They grow great up here in zone 5A & B in Idaho 👍🇺🇲
I just planted two ‘starter peony’ or crowns. They had already sprouted a bit in the package. Should I plant the sprouts below the soil, or just the roots & leave the sprouts above ground?
Hi Karen – The sprouts can be above the soil surface. What’s important is the position of the tuberous root that the sprouts emerge from. This should be positioned between 1 and 2″ below the surface.
Hi
Can I plant them in the shade or partially sun?
Hi – peonies flower best in full sun. They will not flower in the shade. Depending on where you are located, they may flower pretty well in half day sun.
We covered my budding peonies due to cold change in weather. During the day the temp raises a little, then plummets at night. Should I uncover them during the day?…or is it alright to leave the buds covered until the cold snap is over?
Hi – Keeping the buds covered for a couple days in a row should be fine as long as the cover is breathable and daytime temperatures don’t get hot. If it’s longer than that, it would be best to uncover them during the daytime.
My mother has peonies from my grandmother’s garden. My mom had them in our yard for at least 40 years and when we sold the house, my sister-in-law dug them up for her garden. Those peonies are 70+ years old already. Hopefully when I get my own home, she will divide them up so I can have them in my garden for many years.
My Scarlett O’Hara, Mt St Helens and Bowl of Cream peonies (about 9 years old) have always, sprouted, produced buds and bloomed here in Northern Virginia, including in 2020. Last October I cut them back and mulched with pine needles. This year 2021 they did not sprout, bud or bloom. The foliage is lush green and they have always been in the same bed where they receive plenty of sun. What could have happened.
Hi – not sure I understand. The foliage is lush and green or they did not sprout?
Peonies sprout from very shallow undergrounds stems. If the stems are more than 1-2″ deep, the plants will become weak and not bloom. As a rule, peonies should not be mulched.
I planted bare root stock peonys last fall. Both are coming up and looking good so far. Should I pinch off any buds at this point to encourage more growth?
Hi Roger – It’s a good idea to pinch off the buds the first year. It will help the plant focus on growth rather than flowers. A win in the long run!
Help! I have a very healthy peony plant that I’ve had since 2009, planted in memory of my husband’s nan from Australia, and it has flowered profusely in the past several years. However, last year’s blooms had no lovely, quintessential peony fragrance. None. This year’s buds are just beginning to open, but they don’t have any fragrance either. What would cause the loss of fragrance and, more importantly, what can I do to get it back? Thanks!
Hi Kate – Genetics determines whether a flower is fragrant or not. I have never heard of a peony being fragrant one year and not fragrant the next. You have stumped me!
GIRL! You are awesome!!!! Thank you for all your very informative and patient answers to soo many questions.
I planted some peonies in soil which is way too clay heavy unfortunately. I have dug them up and replanted them in a lighter more suitable soil purchased at the nursery. But should I water right away now that I have planted them, or let them dry a little before watering?
Hi Tiffany – sounds like a good move! If the soil is reasonably moist, the only reason to water is to help re-settle the roots and make sure there are no big air pockets around them. A peony’s fleshy roots retain a good amount of moisture, but if the soil is too dry, the little “feeder” roots on the main root can suffer.
I would like to purchase the circular wire supports pictured above in the “support the stems” photo.. Where can I purchase them?
Hi – try gardeners.com
I would love you advice. I purchased a number of peonies from you last spring and planted them. As expected they put up a couple leaves and nothing else, they were working on their roots. This year all but 3 put out foliage, better than last year, a couple even had a single bud. The 3 didn’t put up any foliage at all. I checked them, they were not planted too deep, I know that can be a problem. The root seems solid and healthy. I gently uncovered enough to find them and see if they were still there or visibly rotten. Are they likely dead? Or should I be patient and see if they put any foliage up next year?
Hi – If those roots don’t produce any growth within the next month, you can consider them gone. They will not come back next year. Please contact our customer service folks so we can discuss and, if necessary, ship you some new peonies.
My 10 year old peony plant has a sticky, clear substance on the flowers and the buds. The flowers and foliage look healthy. No ants on plant.
Hi – the sticky substance is natural and is produced by the peonies — not the ants. It’s what attracts the ants. When your plants look healthy, don’t worry about the bugs!
I live in N.C. I finally had my peony bloom this year after moving it to a sunnier location (3 blooms) However, there was no intoxicating aroma!!!!! I was so disappointed!! Why no aroma??
Hi Milly – Not all peonies are fragrant. If you want fragrance (not just good looks) you need to purchase a cultivar that is known for being highly scented. You’ll also find that peonies are at their most fragrant in the sun on a warm day – or indoors in a vase.
I have 2 peony and they get the same amount of sun and water they are in the same place for over 10 year 1 blooms and one doesn’t why does this happen
Clint in Colorado
Hi – Could be due to different genetics. Or the non-blooming plant may be planted deeper (if the eyes are more than 1-2″ below the soil surface this can inhibit blooming). Or it could just be one of those mysteries of nature!
I bought peonies from Home Depot and planted the thick stem basically above ground. They grew and some did produce 1-2 blooms this year. Should I replant them further down or will they be okay?
Hi – It depends what type of dahlia you planted. If it’s a tree peony, the woody stem should be above ground. The roots of Itoh and herbaceous peonies should be just below the soil surface. If you need to adjust the depth of the roots, the sooner you do that the better, though at this point in the growing season it may be best to wait until fall to make that adjustment. You can learn about the different types of peonies in this article on our website: How to Stretch the Peony Season.
Have you ever heard of peonies morphing from their original state? I’ve had about 5 of my peonies do that within the past 3 years, including my Sarah Bernhardt, my Cincinnati, Kansas and Gene Wilde. They all go from their big beautiful double state, into a single flower which always has a big yellow stamen center! Why are they doing this? And will they ever return to what they were? Or should I just dig them up and replace them? They were planted in 1999. 😫
Hi – How disappointing! And I’m sorry to say I don’t have an answer for you. The peonies you named are all herbaceous types, so they are growing on their own roots. Sometimes it can take young peonies a couple years to get their coloring figured out, but I have not heard of that happening to mature plants. You could wait and see what happens next year, but it seems unlikely they will return to what they were originally. There are lots of comments on this post, so maybe someone will offer up a theory!
Will they grow in Northern West Texas? I have a North flower bed in desperate need of color. The bed gets the morning East sun.
Hi Jules – I don’t know what growing zone you are in. Peonies will grow as far south as zone 8, but they flower best in zones 4-7. If you want to try growing a peony, I’d recommend planting either a tree peony or an Itoh hybrid. They are more heat tolerant that traditional herbaceous peonies. This article on our website has more information: How to Grow Peonies in the South. For all summer color, I’d recommend planting a mix of annuals and perennials. Peonies are only in bloom for about 2 weeks each year!
I have white substance on mypeony leaves and black oblong spots on the stems. Any clue what they are
Hi – The white substance on your peonies may be powdery mildew. More information on that HERE. The black spots may be due to another fungal disease. You can learn more about them HERE. Though they look bad, these diseases rarely harm the plant. As much as possible, keep the foliage dry and make sure there is good air circulation around the plants.
I am the third family member to transplant my peonies…they are over 100 years old and bloom like crazy. They make me so happy — the smell in my home is wonderful and I give bouquets to many of my friends. Originally in New Jersey — they now reside in Pennsylvania and I hope they last for many years to come.
Hi Marjorie, what a wonderful story. Flowers nourish us in so many ways!
I have a question that has mystified me and my wife, can peonies change color?
When my mom moved out of her house after 60 yrs we wanted something to remember from the property and my wife and I dug up her peonies and transplanted them at our home.
They bloomed beautiful dark red flowers for years. When my mom was in a home we took some pictures of the blooms and she said ” those aren’t mine, mine were pink.”
When my wife and I reconfigured our front we dug the peonies up and planted some in our backyard and gave a group to our 2 daughters to plant in their yards to remember their just passed grandmother.
Theirs bloomed this year for the first time and both of their plants had pink blooms!
We have never had peonies until we brought them from the old house and we have pictures of them at the front of our house and they were dark red!
How is this possible?
The part that we kept for ourselves hasn’t bloomed yet so I’m not sure what color ours will be.
Hi Gordon – I know that dahlias are able to change flower style and color from one year to the next. That’s because dahlias have a natural genetic instability built in. I did not think this was possible with peonies. But there are a number of people on this thread who say their peonies used to be one color and are now a different one. Plants do mutate. That’s why there’s so much variation in the plant world. I don’t know what is going on with your peonies, but I can say you are not alone in seeing this phenomenon!
Hi, I have a question… I bought a tuber peony from home depot. On the package, it said to plant the tuber 4-6 inches deep, 6 inches for cold climates. I did that and only had two small shoots come up, which produced 3-4 leaves each. This is the first year growing it. I’m now wondering if I should have planted it more shallow.
Hi Candy – We recommend shallower planting and I think you’ll find most peony growers recommend the same. Fall is the best time to gently dig up the root and reposition it.
I had 3 bushes that had beautiful flowers for about 5 years, before I decided they needed to be cut back. The one I cut back died; the other two are still blooming beautifully~
Just don’t agree with trimming or cutting them back. I’ve heard they need the foliage to provide new growth or ?
Peonies should not be cut back until late fall, after the foliage has yellowed.
I have a question for you that has not come up. I purchased an itoh peony root ordered on line from a Canadian grower and I received a nice big root of 2″ sized tubers (2 tubers connected) and 6 eyes.
My concern is the eyes are not pinkish in colour. All These eyes are brown and are soft to the touch. Now my question is will this possible plant grow new eyes this spring or is this a lost cause and this plant will be dead by spring in the pot I planted it in?
I ordered: (Chocolate Soldier) if this helps you.
Hi Anne – Peony eyes turn pink in the spring. In the fall they are a much duller color. A healthy tuber (in the fall) should feel heavy and firm. The eyes that are there now are the ones that will need to sprout in the spring. They should feel firm and not mushy. If you are concerned about the viability of this tuber, I would definitely contact the company.
Hi Kath
Thank you for your open information.
I did try and contact the grower to let them know my concerns. I even sent clear photos of this root and its eyes. I took 3 different angles but I have not hear anything from the grower.
Cheers and have a peaceful winter
Hi – I bought the roots from Costco and wondering if they will do well in Roseville, CA. 95747
Hi – It looks like Roseville is in zone 9b, so you are on the very edge of where peonies will grow. It will be challenging to grow them successfully — especially the herbaceous types. You can learn more in this article on our website: How to Grow Peonies in the South.
I live in coastal South Carolina. During winter months I bought a bag of ice once or twice a month and split it between two plants making an ice mound on each plant. they are covered in beautiful blooms this spring!
I planted a Peony root in an old stump we have (dug a hole in the stump and added potting soil) Do you think my pant will do well this way or should i consider moving it? This is its second year and it is about 7-10 inches tall so far.
Hi Jamie – A mature peony (10+ years old) can have a root ball that measures 18″ across and 18″ deep. I think planting it inside a stump will limit its ability to grow. Now would be a good time to move it to a more suitable location. There are several articles on our website about growing peonies, including this one: All About Peonies.
I have the most stunning peony in my garden! It’s called Scarlet O’Hara. The blossoms are a beautiful red. It should bloom in a couple days. Can’t wait!
Hi from Germany,
I planted some peonies from a local Gardner last fall. They are all happily blooming (yeah!!) but the blooms are nowhere near as big as the same plants I saw in his garden before he dug them up and divided them to share some with me. Do peony blossoms increase in size as the plant matures?
thx!
Yes, as your plant matures the size of the flowers should increase. Enjoy!
Hi Kath,
Just wondering if you might know why over half of my herbaceous peonies only put up 3 or 4 very stunted, thin, weak shoots each year ? They are 3 yo plants, have been planted at the correct depth and fertilised as directed. I’ve treated for botrytis but I don’t thinks it’s this. They just put out stems that don’t grow much more than 10cm. Could it be that the tubers were to small or to old when planted ? I did buy them online and they were planted in autumn but even after 3 years don’t seem to be growing. Needless to say they haven’t flowered but honestly, I’d just be happy if they had decent stems and leaves on them ! My other peonies are doing well and they’re not treated any differently. Hope you can help, I’ve spent alot of time googling but can’t find any answers online.
Thanks so much from Australia
Hi Sally – I am seeing a similar thing in my perennial beds with peonies that flowered well and for 15+ years. As the beds have become increasingly crowded, flower production has dropped. In other parts of the yard I have peonies that are thriving and covered with blooms. These plants are essentially on their own — growing at the end of a bed with at least half the plant open to the air, so there’s excellent air circulation and full sun on all the foliage. In the crowded beds, the plants may now be planted too deeply (soil accumulates over time). But I am coming to believe that it’s difficult for peonies to thrive when they are planted in the thick of a perennial bed. Rather, they should be treated more like a shrub or specimen plant. Does this jive with what you are seeing?
Whats the name of pink peony in the last picture?
If it’s Sarah Bernhardt, how to get the deep pink color? My Sarah Bernhardt is light ink.
Hi – Sarah Bernhardt is a much softer pink than the peony shown in that photo. The peony pictured is an heirloom variety that has been in my garden for many years. I’m not sure of the variety.
I would love to grow Peonies, I live in Texas zone 8, in summer we can get 99 degrees and winter we can go as low as 18 degrees for at least 4 days with some strong wind. Will I be able to grow them?
Hi – Your growing conditions are not ideal for peonies. If you are determined to give them a try, plant a tree peony or Itoh hybrid. They are more heat tolerant than herbaceous peonies. For more information, you can reference this article on our website: How to Grow Peonies in the South.
I recently purchased some peony bulbs to grow in new york and some arrived very soft and seemed somewhat dead, while others were growing in the bag. I tried contacting the seller and am still waiting on a response. Do you have any recommendations?
Hi – Peonies are usually divided and transplanted in early spring or fall. This is when the plants are dormant or nearly dormant and are most likely to survive. When you receive a healthy peony root it should feel very firm. A young plant that is just starting to sprout in the fall is unlikely to survive the winter.