Full grown peony plant
Growing Peonies - Peony Bush Care
Last month when I was posting 5,000 photos of peonies from my garden on Instagram, people started asking me questions about growing peonies. So I thought I’d put a post together about what I’ve experienced in my 8 years of growing herbaceous peonies.
Where to Plant Peonies
Peony bushes do well in cooler climates– growing zones 2-8. Click here to find out which USDA Plant Hardiness Zone you live in if you don’t already know. Central Indiana, where I live, is in zones 5 and 6.
Peonies love full sun. Mine are planted on the south side of our house, where they receive sun from morning to evening. But if you live in a warmer climate you may want to plant them in partial shade.
Plant peony tubers no deeper than 2 inches deep. If peonies are planted too deep, they won’t bloom.
When to Plant
If you purchase peonies from a nursery, you can plant them in the spring or fall. Although I recommend planting in the fall.
Plant roots divided from a mature peony in the fall. If you need to transplant a peony bush, you should do it in the fall. And plant peonies 2-3 feet apart.
Here’s how I dug up and transplanted all of my peony bushes when we moved.
Here’s a good article on how to divide and propagate peonies.
Growth Through the Years
Peonies take a few years to get established, but there are a couple ways to encourage growth. And once they’re established, peony bushes can live to be 100 years old.
This is what my peonies looked like in the spring of 2012.
Here’s what the peonies looked like in the spring of 2013.
As you can see, the blooms will start to droop due to the weight of the flowers. To keep peony plants from drooping, you can use these or these. Just put them over your peony plants as they start to sprout out of the ground. The peony stems will grow into them and be supported.
Here’s 2014.
And 2015.
And 2016.
When to Expect Peony Blooms
I have two peony bushes I purchased from a nursery and five bushes that were divided and replanted from mature peony bushes.
Also, keep in mind that the blooming period for peonies is very short and they only bloom once. They bloom in late spring, not to be confused with early summer.
I planted the two nursery-purchased peonies in the spring of 2010. These two bushes didn’t bloom until the spring of 2013. It took them three years to produce any blooms. It was disappointing to not see blooms for 3 years, but that’s typical with new peonies.
Below is a photo of one of the nursery-purchased peonies. You can see it was about 3 feet tall and had a good amount of flowers for the first year it produced blooms.
I’ve had much more success with the peonies that were divided from mature plants. I would plant the divided peonies in the fall, and they would produce at least a few blooms the following spring.
This is the first peony I planted in the fall of 2009. My parents divided one of their mature peonies and brought me a portion to plant. It’s massive now– about 5 feet wide.
Here’s what it looked like in the spring of 2012.
Ants
Let’s talk about ants because I’ve received a lot of questions about them. Ants are attracted to the nectar peony buds produce. If you check out your peony buds early on, you’ll see the shiny, sticky nectar on them. I’ve read contradicting things about ants. Some people say they’re beneficial to peonies and help them open, some people say ants don’t make a difference. Either way, the ants aren’t harming the peonies so there’s no need to spray them with chemicals to kill the ants. Let nature take its course.
If there are still ants on the blooms before I bring them inside, I gently shake the blooms (holding them at the base of the bloom). If that doesn’t work, I run the bloom under water from the outside hose or fill the kitchen sink and dunk the blooms in the water so the ants float off.
Then I send the ants down the drain with the water. And sometimes I’ll pick the ants off with my fingers.
Deadheading
When the peonies wilt, I deadhead them. Deadheading is when you cut off a bloom that has run its course. By cutting it off, you encourage the other blooms on that stem to open because the plant is no longer trying to support the wilting flower. Deadheading isn’t necessary, but it promotes root growth.
Preparing for Winter
After the first frost in the fall, I cut the peonies down to 3-4 inches above the ground and throw away the dead plants. That’s it.
Now remember, I don’t have a botany degree. This is merely what I know about and have experienced with growing peonies. There are plenty of sites out there that will give you more detailed information on growing peonies.
I don’t use plant food of any kind on the peonies, but I LOVE using this product (find it here and here) on the annuals I plant in my window box and planters.
See my 2014 peonies here and here!
See my 2015 peonies here and here!
See my 2016 peonies here and here!
Do you have peonies growing in your yard?
Have you experienced the same thing I have with the nursery-purchased and divided peonies?
Check out my other popular posts!
Peonies for Sale - Shop Peony Plants for Sale
Colorful plants that last for decades.
Welcome a touch of tradition to your garden when you shop peonies for sale from Spring Hill. A long-standing favorite of gardeners worldwide, this prized perennial is considered a staple of any summer garden.
Flaunting extravagant, paper-like blooms in late spring and early summer, peony plants exhibit a vast array of color combinations, and vibrant, lush foliage. Whether you're seeking the plentiful, sturdy foliage of a tree peony, the robust blooms of a bush variety or a treasured Itoh peony, Spring Hill peonies are sure to steal the show when made a part of your perennial garden.
These perennials excel when planted in full sun to partial shade, and when they're established, they are astoundingly long lived. As peony plants have some varieties living over 100 years, you can plant with the confidence that your garden can be admired for generations to come.
How to grow peony plants:
Peonies, bursting into bloom near Memorial Day, are one of the early entries into the summer garden — and one of the most beautiful. So, how do you grow peony plants?
These perennials are generally shipped in pots or as bare root tubers. Peonies should be planted in the fall, in an area that will receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. Peonies are sun lovers, although they may appreciate a little protection from the sun if you live in Zone 8 or 9.
Peonies are very adaptable, but well-drained, slightly acidic soil is the best bet for their success. If your garden features heavy clay, amend with compost or a bit of loam to combat alkalinity and pooling water.
The method for growing your peonies depends on the form in which you receive them — and on the type of peonies you're growing. Most peony plants belong to three common types: tree peonies, herbaceous peonies, or Itoh peonies. Tree peonies grow in a shrublike habit, with some varieties topping out at 7 feet, and they feature some of the largest flowers and fastest growth. Herbaceous peonies usually grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet and a spread of 2 to 4 feet, and are generally lower maintenance. Itoh peonies are hybrids, blending the perennial habit of herbaceous peonies with the larger flower and color range of tree peonies. Care is generally similar for all types of peonies, but planting and staking will vary by type.
To plant container-grown peonies — ones grown in a pot — just dig a hole big enough for the top of the root ball to stand level with the soil (with herbaceous peonies) or to be buried about two inches deep (for tree peonies). If the plant is rootbound, gently break up the roots before planting.
Pile some compost or well-turned soil in the bottom of the hole, and position the peony so that the roots spread over the mount. Fill the rest of the hole, and water in well.
When planting bare root peonies, soak the tubers in a bucket of water for a few hours before planting. For each peony, dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots of your peony, and so that the eyes, or growth buds, will be an inch or two below the soil. Toss a shovelful of soil or compost into the center of the hole, creating a mound. Place your tuber with the roots spread over the mound, then backfill the hole.
Water thoroughly after planting, and water occasionally the first summer after planting, in particular when they begin to bloom. Peonies are not generally very thirsty plants, but they will benefit from being watered during dry spells.
Peonies require relatively little care, but herbaceous and tree peonies will require staking to hold their flowers up. After the leaves begin to emerge in spring, place a peony cage around the plant for support as its flowers grow.
Or, use individual stakes to support each flower stem.
When to plant peonies:
Peony plants should be planted in the fall. Although peony plants are considerably low-maintenance, they don't respond terribly well to transplanting. Whether you're working with bare root plants or potted peonies, timing is key to successful peonies. In most of the U.S., peonies should be moved in late September or October—about six weeks before the ground freezes. This holds true for bare root plants, potted plants, and even mature peony plants, should you wish to transplant one. Keep in mind, however, that peonies do not like to be disturbed once they are established; so don't move your peonies unless absolutely necessary. Peonies should be planted while they are dormant. Peonies should be planted while they are dormant.
While you can plant peonies in the spring, spring-planted peonies tend not to bloom in their first year—they need all the energy they have for establishing roots and growing foliage.
If you plant in fall, peonies typically are able to establish themselves over winter, and will be off to a strong start the following spring.
Where to plant peonies:
Since peonies can be a bit difficult to relocate, be sure to choose a good location before planting. Peonies perform best in a sunny spot that gets lots of airflow, where their leaves and petals won't face constant dampness and the possibility of fungal problems. Don't crowd your peonies in clumps or close to trees or shrubs, as peonies like their space and don't do well in competition for light. Because peony flowers are often huge and heavy, they may need supports such as stakes. Make the job easier by planting peonies out of strong winds, and in a spot that's easy to stake.
When do peony plants bloom?
Peonies bloom in early summer to early fall, depending on variety and bloom habit. Herbaceous peonies bloom in early summer, typically for a week or two. Tree peonies and intersectional (itoh) peonies bloom from early summer all the way through fall.
Tree and itoh peonies tend to have an extended blooming time, since not all of the flowers on each plant blooms concurrently.
When to cut back peony plants:
Blooming peonies can be deadheaded throughout the blooming period to encourage additional flowering. When it comes to pruning, itoh and herbaceous peony varieties may be pruned heavily in the fall, when the foliage begins to fade. For these types, prune to four to six inches above the ground. Tree peonies, as the name suggests, are woody and should not be cut down fully. Instead, just prune these peonies for shaping in the spring.
planting and care, types and varieties, reproduction, photo.
Peonies enjoy well-deserved popularity among flower growers. In terms of decorative foliage and beauty of flowers, they belong to one of the first places among perennials.
Bright and pastel colors, large flowers are good both in cutting and on the bush, pleasant delicate aroma.
Lush openwork foliage persists until late autumn, and from dark green becomes crimson. A peony bush without flowers is attractive in the garden in the flower garden and against the background of the lawn. Peonies are durable. They grow without a transplant in one place for decades.
Peony includes about 40 species. Most peonies are represented by herbaceous species. Less well-known are tree peonies growing in Southwest China. Peonies have been grown in culture since ancient times. And now in our gardens varieties of classical selection are grown, mainly created in the 19th century, the selection of peonies does not stand still. "Japanese peonies" are popular in Russia today.
Excellent decorative qualities, simple agricultural techniques and relative unpretentiousness contributed to the popularity of herbaceous peonies in different countries. Now 5 thousand varieties are registered all over the world. In our country there are about 500 varieties. They differ in color, shape and size of flowers, flowering period, shape and height of the bush.
Location of peonies
The site for varietal peonies should be sunny and open, but some shading is allowed during the midday hours. In the dead shade, peonies grow, but do not bloom. To avoid the development of diseases, air circulation is needed, so it is better to plant peonies at a small distance from buildings, shrubs and trees.
Areas with a close location of groundwater are also unsuitable for peonies; in these conditions, the roots of pions rot.
Peony soil
Loamy, slightly acidic soils are best suited for these peonies. On acidic soils, add 200-400 g of lime. On clay soils, you need to add sand, and on sandy soils - 1.5 buckets of clay.
Planting peonies
Plant and transplant peonies only in autumn. In order for them to grow well and bloom in the same place for many years, it is important to immediately choose it correctly. It should be noted that over time, peony bushes grow strongly, they need to be placed no closer than 1 m to each other.
In the first year after peony transplantation, they do not bloom, look weakened, and the number of stems is not more than 1-2. It is not scary if the peony does not bloom in the second year or if it blooms incompletely.
They just haven't reached maturity yet. It is much more important that the peony look healthy in the second year and add in development compared to the first year: the number of stems should increase to 4-6.0002 It is better to feed young peonies in a foliar way. Starting from the 2nd week of May, once a month, the leaves are watered from a watering can with a sieve with a solution of mineral fertilizer. Foliar top dressing should be carried out in cloudy weather or in the evening.
Adult peonies also need foliar feeding at the beginning of the growing season. It is carried out 3 times with a three-week interval, it is necessary to start from the 2nd week of May. The first time peonies need to be fed with a solution of urea (50 g per 10 liters of water), the second time add microfertilizers to the urea solution (1 tablet per 10 liters of solution).
The third time should be watered with a solution of micronutrient fertilizers (2 tablets per 10 liters of water).
Peonies are watered infrequently, spending 2-3 buckets per mature bush. Water should soak the soil to the depth of the roots. After watering, the earth is loosened, this helps to retain moisture in the soil, as well as curb the growth of weeds.
Before frost, peony stems should be cut at ground level and burned. Sprinkle the rest of the stems with ash - 3-4 handfuls per bush. Shelter for adult peonies is not required.
Propagation of peonies
Wild species from seeds. All peonies can also be propagated vegetatively - by cuttings, dividing the bush and layering. It is more promising to propagate by dividing the bush.
Peony, grown from seeds, blooms for 4-5 years. It is better to plant freshly harvested seeds in the ground, they will be able to germinate in the spring of next year. Sow in August in moist, loose soil.
Use of peonies
To decorate the plots, you need to select varieties with bright flowers and a beautiful bush shape, with different flowering periods.
For cutting, it is recommended to choose abundantly blooming peonies, fragrant, with a beautiful flower shape.
Cut peonies in dry weather early in the morning when only the outer petals are folded back. Immediately put the flowers in water and place not a couple of hours in a cold place. Before you put the peonies in a vase, cuts on the stems need to be updated under water. Water in a vase must be poured up to the leaves. The fast-opening flowers can be forced to close by placing the stems in hot water.
Typical mistakes of flower growers
1. Transplantation of an adult peony completely without division . In a new place, such a bush does not develop well, it exists due to the supply of nutrients in old roots, the formation of a new root system is not stimulated. This leads to a weakening of the peony and weak flowering. In this case, dig a bush, divide into divisions and plant.
2. Deep fit .
If the rhizome of the peony is deeper than 6 cm, the peony may not bloom, although it looks quite healthy. Check by carefully removing the soil above the rhizome. If the peony turned out to be very deep (more than 6 cm), dig it up in August, divide it into divisions and plant it.
The most ancient flowers of the planet. We talk about varieties of peonies
In May, tree-like peonies bloomed in the Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Biology of Moscow State University, and in June they were replaced by herbaceous ones. Ecobotanist Aigul Berdiyeva spoke about the history of plants and their varieties.
From time immemorial
“Supposedly, the peony appeared in the Cretaceous period, that is, we can assume that these are one of the first flowers on earth. Their homeland is the modern territory of Siberia, the Caucasus, China, - says the specialist. – According to legend, the student of the ancient Greek god Asclepius surpassed his teacher in the art of healing.
As a result, the hero of myths decided to destroy him. But other gods took pity on the young man and turned him into a wonderful peony bush.
French varieties
Until the 19th century, these flowers were called Mary's Root in Russia. And the definition of peony appeared after French varieties, revered by the palace nobility, began to be massively imported into the country.
In France, breeders selected peonies according to several criteria: rose-like shape, delicate, pastel shades and the finest aroma. Everything else that did not fit into the canon was not registered. According to Aigul Berdiyeva, French varieties are excellent for cutting and their buds open gradually. Thus, the decorative effect is preserved for seven to ten days.
French variety Festival maxima is common in our dachas. Stands for a long time in the cut (in a bouquet), gradually blooms. A very tenacious variety, it resists fungal diseases caused by an excess of moisture quite well.
And Duchesse de Nemours smells like lily of the valley. It also does not fade in a vase for a long time. An adult plant reaches a height of one meter, has a strong root system. The most abundant flowering in the bushes is observed at the age of 4 to 10 years.
Monsignor Martin Kayuzak one of the darkest among double peonies. The petals are satin, red-burgundy, with a black tint. The flowering period lasts about 3 weeks.
Guests from distant America
Aigul Berdiyeva also introduced us to some varieties of American selection: “For this school, the most important thing is to create an impression: either an unusual shape of a bush, or a bright color, size of flowers. A big plus of varieties bred in the USA is that no matter how voluminous and heavy the flower is, the thick, powerful stem will hold it. But French and Russian varieties need support.”
Princess Margaret peonies are among the most titled.
They were bred in the 60s of the last century. Plus - a spectacular view, and the minus is that the whole bush blooms at the same time, almost in one day. The maximum to admire its beauty will be no more than five days, after which it loses its decorative effect. In addition, all American varieties do not stand well in the cut.
Kansas - flowers of this variety look like fluffy balls. The diameter sometimes reaches 20 centimeters. In nutrient-rich soil, after planting, it can be left without fertilizing for several years.
Capricious Dutch
The varieties of Dutch selection are the least adapted to our climate. “Take Shirley Temple - a very fragrant, showy flower. But, unfortunately, due to dense foliage, there are problems with airing, ventilating the bush. Now the rains have passed, and the fungus has already “attacked” it. Because of this, the buds and leaves dry out, - the specialist notes. “And there are varieties bred in Holland that won’t bloom at all here.
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Try to find
Domestic varieties are excellent for growing in the middle lane. Among them are Cruiser Aurora, In memory of Gagarin, Maya Plisetskaya. They do not require special care and stand well in a vase. Unfortunately, the creations of our breeders can still be seen in botanical gardens and collections of keen amateurs. In the 1990s, the school was in deep oblivion. And it has only recently begun to develop. According to experts, a wide range of Russian varieties will be available for sale in about ten years.
Tips
Speaking about the peculiarities of growing peonies, Aigul Berdieva noted that it is extremely important after planting not to let them bloom for the first two years. Otherwise, the bushes will not be able to gain the mass they need. "Don't regret breaking the buds," she recommends.
Young plantings often suffer from lack of moisture. If it is dry and hot August, and it is in this month that a flower bud is laid, then at least 20-30 liters of water should be poured onto such bushes per week.
