Every year in late spring, the one question I’m sure to be asked is about the peonies growing in my front yard. These beauties really know how to put on a show, even if it is a short one. There are endless varieties of peonies to choose from to please every gardener and flower lover. Flower varieties range from single petal with cheery centers to huge double blooming ones in shades of yellow, coral, pink, white and burgundy. This is easily my favorite flower (I even made a peony wreath to match!) and I especially love the double varieties. With their big ruffle-y blossoms and heady fragrance, it’s hard not to get excited come May once they begin to bud. Peonies are surprisingly easy to grow once they are in the ground, and I’ve organized every bit of information I could think of so you can grow these beautiful perennials too!

How and When to Plant Peonies:

• If you are in zones 3-8 (I’m in a 6) the herbaceous peony will grow in your climate. If you live in a hotter climate, it’s suggested to plant where they will receive shade during the hottest part of the day.
• Everything I’ve read about peonies suggests for best results to plant tubers in the fall. Make sure the “eyes” on the tuber are pointing up.
• Something you may not read is that you can plant transplants in the spring. This method isn’t as highly recommended, however my peonies were planted this way and bloomed for me the first year. If you buy a 1-3 year old plant, you will get blooms faster.
• Make sure not to plant your peonies too deep.The recommended depth for the buds on the tubers is 2″ inches under the soil. If you have a peony bush that is established but not making blooms, this may be why. You can (carefully) dig up the peony root and replant it in the fall to try to help the plant. (see below for more on transplanting peonies)
• Amend your soil with nutrient filled compost and add bone meal when planting. I will never forget taking a week to plant my peonies because the spot I chose happened to be full of clay and rock that I had to dig out! Peonies are known to thrive in lots of soil types, however they need good drainage to prevent rot. Amending with good soil and then adding bone meal gives lots of nutrients so a strong root system can develop.
• Plant with at least 2 feet of spacing, 3-4 feet if you have the space. Peony bushes can grow up to 3 feet in diameter so make sure to give them good airflow.

How to Establish and Care for a Peony Plant

• This one is going to be tough, but resist the urge to snip flowers from your peony plant the first year it blooms. By cutting off the bloom this energy source of the plant is lost. While the plant is still young and being established, it will use this energy to encourage a stronger root system and thus become a more vigorous bloomer in the future. If you cut all the blooms off, the plant won’t build as strongly as it could.
• Don’t be surprised, or discouraged for that matter if your peony takes up to three years to bloom. Some may bloom sooner, but patience is key with these flowers. The good thing is once they start blooming they are typically very low maintenance and produce year after year. And keep in mind that these plants can live for 60 years!
• Once your flowers start to fade (meaning, the petals are brown and/or falling off) deadhead the plant. Cut down to a strong leaf so that the stem doesn’t create a “stick” appearance. This will help the peony bush use that energy towards growth rather than to create a seed pod.
• Leave the green foliage long after your blooms have faded, I cut mine back in the late fall.

Things to do Once Your Peony Plant is Established

• Invest in peony rings to hold up heavy double blooming blossoms which can get waterlogged and tend to droop down to the ground with no support. I bought these rings this year for my pink peonies. Put them in the grown when you start to see growth so the foliage can naturally grow through the rings.
• Early in the spring (or 20-25 days before your plant will bloom), apply an all purpose fertilizer and a top coating to your plants for optimal growth. Even if you miss this step (like me) they will still bloom, you’re just likely to get more flowers with this yearly application.
• Enjoy the show and fill your vases! There is nothing quite like cutting gorgeous flowers from your own garden, especially when they are this impressive looking!

What if You’re Peony Plant Needs to be Moved?

• Transplanting: Peonies are known for not wanting their roots to be disturbed once they settle in. However if there is a reason to transplant a peony plant, September is the best month to do so. Dig around the rootball and do your best to keep it as intact as possible. If you’re plant is not blooming and has been in the ground a number of years, transplanting and repositioning your plant not as deeply may solve this issue.
• Diving and Propagating: Although peonies seldom need to be divided, perhaps your peony plants are getting too big for the spot, or you’re wanting to test out dividing one big plant into two. You can propagate a peony plant by carefully splitting the tuber with a knife after digging it up. I’ve personally never tried this but have read about people having success with it.

I hope this has helped answer any questions you may have had about growing your own peonies! If you have any more questions that I may not have covered here, drop it in the comments and I will be sure to answer as best as I can.