There are several design and placement considerations if peony plants are to be included in the larger landscape layout. This is particularly true when one takes into account the varied but subtle qualities of peony types. We can choose to take into account the color, form, and scent of peonies when designing the landscape, in addition to the bloom period and foliage.
The first thing to think about before adding peonies to your landscaping is if the site receives enough sunshine.
- Nearly all peonies will develop slowly if they are planted in deep shade.
- In the full sun, tree peony will develop rapidly, but the blossoms will fade quickly. In the summer sun, some cultivars are also prone to leaf scald. For these reasons, we advise placing tree peony in a position that receives some shade. Ideal locations have an eastern exposure or receive dappled sunshine. They thrive in five to six hours of direct sunlight.
- Herbaceous and intersectional or itoh peonies both require at least six good hours of sun, or as close to a full day as you can give them. They won’t be strong and won’t bloom well without it.
In six hours of sunlight, a mixed garden bed with a tree and herbaceous peonies would flourish.
Plant your peonies appropriately because a garden bed may occasionally have distinct regions with more and less sunshine as a result of the shade provided by trees or a building. In locations covered by shadow, tree peony grow, whereas in areas with more sunlight, herbaceous plants grow. For peony, the classic saying “Right plant, right place” is especially true.
Good soil is the other requirement for peony. Poor, unimproved soil is not suitable for growing or blooming peonies.
- All varieties of peony require rich, well-drained soil.
- A soil rich in humus and organic materials is beneficial to peonies. For healthy blooming, peonies also require a variety of trace minerals. The ideal pH is 6.5, which is neutral. Peonies won’t ever thrive or bloom properly if they are planted in poor soils with a low (acidic) pH.
- Peonies should never be planted in areas with standing water, with the exception of very early spring when the ground is still frozen. Peonies’ roots will become suffocated by waterlogged soil, which is one of the main reasons peonies fail in gardens.
Don’t lose hope if your chosen planting location is not currently conducive to producing peonies; with a little preliminary planning, many garden spaces may become peony-friendly. Compost and mineral-rich rock powders can be used to improve deficient soils. The pH will be increased to the required level using ground limestone. Making raised beds will provide proper drainage for places that are wet. See our blog post for comprehensive details on soil preparation for peony.
There is a lot of variation in bloom period, flower color, form, and smell among the three species of peonies—tree, herbaceous, and intersectional hybrids. Also different are the plant’s habit and mature size. Even the subtleties of color hues and foliage form can be explored. Peonies can be admired and comprehended on a variety of levels.
mature tree peony of the rockii kind. The long-lived tree peonies are referred to as the “Chinese peony” due to their silky blossoms and towering stature “The Flower King.
The mid-spring blooming deciduous woody shrubs known as tree peonies (Paeonia suffoticosa, Paeonia lutea, Paeonia rockii, and other species) are exceedingly long-lived and somewhat slow-growing. In our zone 6a Connecticut environment, our collection of several hundred tree peony cultivars typically blooms over a six-week period, from the first week of May to mid-June. In USDA zones 4-9, tree peony will flourish and grow.
The blooms will bloom later, the longer the winter season lasts. Tree peonies bloom about a month later in northern regions like Minnesota and New Hampshire than they do in Connecticut. Tree peonies open in March in certain California locations and bloom in April in warmer climes like the Carolinas. The length of the winter season and the dormant period for the buds will determine everything.
Tree peonies bloom in a variety of hues, including bright yellow, silvery apricots, deep wine reds, pure whites, pinks, and purples. Flowers can take on a range of shapes, from graceful singles to enormous doubles with “thousand petal” blooms.
The plant habit of a tree peony can range from being little (2.5 tall by 3 wide) to being huge (6.5 tall by 5 wide). Most plants need 10 to 12 years to attain their full growth.
On the majority of varieties, especially the Chinese tree peony, the woody stems are robust. Older Japanese tree peony have been observed to generate flimsy stems that cannot support their blossoms. There is nothing to be done but stake some sorts or avoid growing them because they are genetically inferior. Let our knowledge be your guide; all of the tree peony varieties we grow and sell do not require staking.
Tree peonies should generally be spaced 4-5 inches apart. In order to spread, the larger growing rockii cultivars like Snow Lotus, Purple Butterfly in the Wind, Black Tornado, and others need to be spaced six distances apart.
Planting should be done at least three away from foundations and six to ten away from large shrubs and trees. Most trees’ roots will obstruct the roots of tree peonies and rob them of moisture and nutrients. You can interplant smaller perennials, bulbs, and ground covers, but keep the space around the plant’s immediate base open to provide optimum air circulation.
On how to trim tree peony blossoms, people frequently question us. You may do so, but you must trim the six green stalks before the blossom opens completely. Tree peony flowers are ideally trimmed and floated in a bowl of water for indoor display.
The traditional late spring bloom, herbaceous peonies are prized for use in the landscaping and beloved as cut flowers.
Herbaceous peonies are perennials that are extremely hardy, enduring, and little maintenance.
Paeonia lactiflora, Paeonia japonica, Paeonia macrophylla, as well as hybrids created by mating two or more of these species, are only a few of the more than twenty species that make up this group. Although there are literally hundreds of identified cultivars, many are either no longer produced or are extremely difficult to find.
In USDA zones 3 to 8, herbaceous peony can be cultivated with ease. Some microclimates in zone 9 will support the required chill for blooming.
In the spring, the many species and hybrids of herbaceous peony bloom for a very long time. The earliest types bloom in Connecticut’s zone 6a in late April, while the late-season plants bloom in the middle of June. Therefore, you can increase the range of bloom duration by selecting different varieties. Most herbaceous peony produced now are of the lactiflora variety, which blooms in the late summer to early fall. From late May through mid-June, we observe them.
Peonies that grow on herbs come in a variety of hues and shapes. Many herbaceous peonies with huge double blossoms have a tendency to fall over if left unsupported in the garden because they lack the sturdy woody stems of tree peonies. We typically steer clear of peonies with these behaviors and instead provide peonies with stronger stems. We have produced hundreds of named variety herbaceous peony during our 25 years of cultivation. The thin stems of many peonies developed for the cut flower industry prevent them from making effective landscaping plants. By choosing cultivars with stronger stems and more proportionate flowers, this issue can be avoided. The majority of the herbaceous varieties we currently grow in our showcase garden have no support, and all of them have stronger stems. The most we can manage to support the heaviest blooming blooms with is a few strategically positioned bamboo sticks at right angles.
Herbaceous peony leaf after blooming offers summer flowers a textured green backdrop.
Most herbaceous peonies keep their glossy, deep green foliage after the blooming season through September, while some species do lose their foliage in the summer. Herbaceous peonies are pruned to the ground in the fall, along with other non-woody perennials, as part of the necessary garden cleanup following the frost.
The garden designer can choose from a variety of appealing qualities provided by intersectional peonies.
Peonies called intersectional or Itoh are hybrids of tree and herbaceous varieties. They are the peony industry’s newest darlings. Late in the 20th century, the majority were hybridized, and new varieties are continually being developed. They display tree peony flower types on a herbaceous bush. The typical height and width of a plant is three to four, while some are smaller. The hue of a blossom can range from lemon yellow to violet and red. They are particularly exceptional because the majority range in size from 7 to 10. Flowers can be cut with 12–16 stems for bouquets as the stems grow to a decent length. Good fragrances typically have a lemon scent or a gentle spicy-sweet scent. They are prized for their variety of colors and simplicity of growth but lack the best tree peonies’ fragrance. They are grown with at least six hours of direct sunlight every day, much like the herbaceous peony.
The intersectional peony bloom season falls between the peak of the tree peony bloom and the start of the lactiflora-type herbaceous peony bloom. An individual intersectional cultivar will bloom over a long period of time, with the opening of the primary buds followed by the opening of the secondary buds one week later.
Planting distances for herbaceous and itoh peonies should be three on average. For the same concerns of competition and crowding, the same space is recommended from tree roots and foundations. This kind of perennial planting could appear sparse for a few years, so as a temporary measure to make your garden bed appear fuller and more balanced, we advise attempting non-aggressive perennials, annuals, and bulbs. Professionals have been known to deviate from the recommended plant spacing and cram more plants into a garden bed in order to make it appear fuller more quickly. This implies that in a matter of seasons, the bed will become overcrowded, necessitating the relocation of the plants. Additionally, because there is poor air circulation and a greater chance that foliage will stay moist and spread disease due to overcrowding, there are more fungal issues.
It is clear that peony may be used in a variety of ways in the landscape if the sun and soil requirements are known, along with a clear description of what to expect in each of the three varieties.
A landscape’s limits, depth, and breath are defined by trees and huge woody shrubs. Perennials and annuals are added to this foundation; these tiny plants give a landscape texture, detail, and purpose.
The colors, fragrances, sunlight, shade, fruit, and flowers that plants provide help humans connect to the landscape and designate certain portions of it. The modern American gardener takes pleasure in defining a space that improves their house and serves as a place to unwind and appreciate nature.
Consider complementary heights, hues, bloom dates, and scents when designing a peony border. With roughly six hours of daylight, intersectional (itoh), tree, and herbaceous peony can all be planted together in a border, but each one needs to be designed with consideration for its unique size characteristics.
Plants that retain their blossoms well and have healthy foliage throughout the season make good candidates for landscape plantings. The Award of Landscape Merit was developed by the American Peony Society to assist growers and gardeners in choosing herbaceous and intersectional peonies with “superior ornamental value, general appearance throughout the growing season and in the landscape, and dependable performance across North America. The cultivars that now fit these requirements are by no means all included in this list. But finding trustworthy varieties with sturdy branches that can keep their blossoms is a smart place to start. We hope that in the future, exceptional tree peonies will also be eligible for the Award of Landscape Merit.
Do peony make nice border plants?
With their bowl-shaped blooms, blousy, frothy, and blatantly amorous peonies will spruce up a border. Every border in the late spring and early summer centers around them. In fact, you can stretch the blossoming season from late April through June by planting many peony kinds together in a border.
Where should peonies not be planted?
The peony has the fattest, most delicious petals and rich green foliage, making it outrageously attractive when it is in bloom. From spring to summer, savor stunning floral displays. Learn how to care for, grow, and plant peony.
About Peonies
Peonies are a perennial that will steal your breath away every year. The plants may even outlive you—some have been reported to survive for at least a century.
When Is Peony Season? When Do Peonies Bloom?
Depending on your location and the kind you are planting, peonies bloom from late spring to early summer.
You may extend the peony season across several weeks and take use of those magnificent blossoms for as long as possible thanks to the abundance of nurseries that provide early, midseason, and late blooming types.
Peonies may thrive as far south as Zones 7 and 8, and they are hardy to Zone 3. The key to success in the majority of the United States is to provide full light and well-drained soil. Peonies even enjoy the winter’s coldness because it helps their buds grow.
Types of Peony Flowers
You can pick from six different varieties of peony flowers: anemone, single, Japanese, semi-double, double, and bomb. The odors of different plants also differ; some, like “Festiva Maxima” and “Duchesse de Nemours,” have seductive rose-like aromas, while others have a lemony scent or none at all.
Where to Plant Peonies
When planted as a low hedge or along sidewalks, peonies make excellent sentinels. As majestic and dignified as any flowering shrub, the peony’s bushy cluster of attractive glossy green leaves lasts all summer before turning purplish-red or gold in the fall.
Peonies work nicely with irises and roses in mixed borders and blossom alongside columbines, baptisias, and veronicas. Plant pink peonies with blue Nepeta or violets, then surround white peonies with yellow irises and a froth of forget-me-nots.
Peonies are not overly picky, but you should pick your place carefully because they dislike disruption and do not transplant well.
Although they can survive in partial shade, peonies like full sun, and they flower at their best in an area that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day.
Because of its huge flowers, peonies can become top-heavy in severe winds. Therefore, provide shelter. (If necessary, stakes can be used to hold them up.) Planting too close to trees or bushes will cause peony to compete with them for nutrients, sunlight, and moisture.
Grow peony in rich, wet, humus-rich soil that is deep, fertile, and well-draining. pH in the soil should be neutral.
When to Plant Peonies
As long as they are planted correctly and become established, peony plants require minimal upkeep. However, keep in mind that they do not adapt well to transplanting, so you should consider this when choosing your planting location.
- Plant peony in the fall: in the majority of the United States, in late September or early October, and even later in the fall in Zones 7 and 8. Your planting zone can be found here.
- If you need to move an established plant, the fall is the ideal season because the plant will be dormant.
- About six weeks before the ground freezes, peonies should be planted.
- While planting peonies in the spring is absolutely a possibility, the results aren’t always favorable. They often trail behind plants planted in the fall by roughly a year, according to experts.
How to Plant Peonies
- Peonies are typically offered as divisions of a 3- or 4-year-old plant, bare-root tubers with 3 to 5 eyes (buds).
- Peonies should be placed 3 to 4 feet apart to allow for enough air circulation. The development of disease can be facilitated by stagnant, damp air.
- In a sunny area, dig a generously sized hole that is about 2 feet deep and 2 feet wide. The inclusion of organic matter in the planting hole will improve the soil. Add additional compost to the soil to improve it if it’s sandy or heavy. Add about a cup of bonemeal to the ground. Find out more about soil improvements and getting the soil ready for planting.
- The roots should be positioned in the hole just 2 inches below the soil’s surface, with the root’s eyes facing upward on top of a mound of soil. Avoid planting too deeply! Choose early-blooming species, put them approximately 1 inch deep, and provide some shade in southern states.
- Backfill the hole after that, being careful to prevent soil settlement and a 2-inch root burying. Gently tamp the ground.
- Plant a container-grown peony no deeper than it was when it was in the pot.
- When planting, give everything plenty of water.
How to Care for Peonies
Young peony take time to develop, just like children. In order to establish themselves, blossom, and flourish, they typically require a few years. They eventually leave home on their own, fully grown and adjusted… No, that’s just kids, I suppose.
Peonies benefit from gentle neglect. They don’t require digging and dividing every few years like the majority of perennials do.
- Don’t use any fertilizer. Before planting, till the soil thoroughly while adding compost and a small amount of fertilizer.
- Early summer, after the peonies have flowered and you have deadheaded the blooms, is the ideal time to apply fertilizer (such as bonemeal, compost, or well-rotted manure) to a soil that is deficient in nutrients. Keep fertilizing to a few years at most.
- assist the stems Peonies’ stems, which occasionally are not strong enough to hold their enormous blossoms, are the only part of their structure that may be considered weak. Think of structures that allow the plant to grow through the middle of the support, like three-legged metal peony rings or wire tomato cages.
- Peony blossoms should be deadheaded as soon as they start to fade, cutting to a sturdy leaf so that the stem doesn’t protrude through the foliage. To prevent any infections from overwintering, trim the foliage to the ground in the fall.
- Avoid covering peonies with mulch. For the first winter following planting, you can VERY LOOSELY mulch with pine needles or shredded bark when the winters are bitterly cold. In the spring, get rid of the mulch.
Peonies bloom between late spring and early summer, but by planting a variety of cultivars, you may arrange your garden for a succession of blooms from mid-May to late June. Here are a few options:
- ‘Early Scout’ has red solitary flowers that open incredibly early.
- “Firelight”: very early-blooming, single, pale-pink flowers
- ‘Karl Rosenfield’: double, midseason bloomer with substantial crimson blooms