Every gardener understands how frustrating it may be to reside in a climate zone where she can’t cultivate the plants she really wants to.
Many gardeners in Houston yearn for lilacs and peonies. In the northern U.S., those can be simple plants that are frequently passed down from one generation to the next. But the heat, humidity, and heavy gumbo soil of the Gulf Coast do not favour their growth. Flourish? They hardly ever even survive, to be honest.
Dogwoods are another, even though the understory trees with delicate appearances and spring blooms are scattered across the woodlands around 100 miles north of Houston. And lavender, which thrives in the arid caliche soil of the Hill Country.
When my husband and I purchased a home in Brenham, Texas, 70 miles to the northwest, I felt I had finally reached the gardener’s paradise. My first shovel-in-the-ground experience resulted in a joyous dance around our yard’s friable, sandy loam soil.
Unfortunately, because that soil drains so quickly, I’ve lost roses that require more water. However, there are some fatalities that I am unable to attribute to the soil or environment because of my own stubbornness. I plant roses, then trees, after which the roses progressively wither away from lack of sunlight. Without the proper amount of light and air, no plant can grow.
Of course, learning to appreciate where you are is the secret to gardening happiness. That might only entail adjusting one’s expectations about when and what flowers. For instance, what is a summer annual elsewhere may be a winter annual here: Gardeners in the Houston region can enjoy alyssum, lobelia, pansies, and nasturtiums while Northerners struggle with snow and ice.
According to Joy Columbus, the new vice president of horticulture for the 120-acre Houston Botanic Garden, microclimates and planting times can vary even by neighbourhood. She is still learning to grasp the Gulf Coast gardening schedule despite being an Ohio native who has worked in New York and Chicago.
The fall season is what I’m most looking forward to seeing: How red will that sweetgum be? When some oak leaves start to turn rusty, what colour will they be, and will they last until the springtime pushes out new buds? She is aware that none of that will occur until late November or December, long after the northern trees have lost their leaves for the season.
Even in the north, according to Columbus, things are not looking good for lilac enthusiasts due to climate change: “We were not observing the regular sequence of bloom time. We were experiencing extremely brief springs, and those plants are also associated with insects and other animals.
I questioned Deborah Nevins, a landscape architect whose company is revamping the grounds of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, if she missed anything that she couldn’t have in New York.
Oh, my God, she replied.
She named sensitive roses swiftly, mentioning in particular the climber “Mermaid” (a monster that eats fences here) and the colourful, sizable species shrub “Mutabilis. Southern maple.
Olive-sosmanthus tea
She claimed that when they blossom, the aroma is incredible. “Jasmine. Magnolias from the South can be grown in a protected environment, and certain types are more hardy. Where I live, vitex grows, but it frequently freezes back; the vitex tree you have here is amazing. living oaks I could continue forever.
Smart gardeners identify good—and occasionally even better—substitutions with comparable blooms and development habits in addition to accepting the growing conditions and calendar of their region.
Horticulturist Heidi Sheesley, whose wholesale nursery, Treesearch Farms, has contributed to develop and launch numerous upper Gulf Coast-friendly varieties since the early 1980s, is the most enthusiastic wholesale grower when it comes to local alternatives.
During a recent visit to Sheesley’s lush paradise, I lusted after many more plants than I have space for, including several lovely replacements for cherished northern zone flora. Many retail nurseries in the city carry her product, and any of them can also request special plants.
Here are some of her recommendations, along with some other plants that have worked well for me. And if it’s any consolation, October is ideal planting season in the Houston region, as gardeners elsewhere in the U.S. prepare to let their beds die down for the winter.
Take a look at the blousy, chubby peony poppy (Papaver paeoniflorum), often known as the pom pom poppy. The pink monster, which has stunning silver-gray pods (excellent for dry arrangements) and silver-gray foliage, reseeds so profusely in the Brenham region that seedlings must be clipped when they appear in January or February. When I sowed the delectable “Double Black” type for the first time last year, I had no luck. I’m trying again, though. Seed is accessible through various online sources.
Callicarpa longissima is one of the biggest beautyberries Sheesley has ever seen, and she adores it. If properly watered, it can withstand full sun but prefers partial to full shade. Midsummer brings gorgeous, full clusters of vibrant fuchsia blooms that bees and butterflies adore, followed by masses of huge white berries that birds love to eat. This beautyberry, which grows to a height of 15 feet, can be severely clipped to give it a shorter or shrubbier appearance.
A more popular substitute is the vitex that is native to Texas. A fragrant shrub that can develop into a small, typically multitrunked tree, vitex produces lilac bloom sprays in the summer. Although it may suffer in a strong winter, the plant is root-hardy. There are numerous kinds, one of which has white blossoms.
Sheesley would like more The Gordlinia grandiflora ‘Sweet Tea,’ a fast-growing hybrid with long, narrow leaves that are semi-evergreen and frequently turn red or orange in the fall, is a favourite among Houstonians. This gordlinia is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree that grows to be about 20 feet high by 15 feet wide at maturity. During the hot months when little else in the garden is particularly showy, it sparkles with five-petaled white flowers that resemble camelia or dogwood blossoms that bloom in cooler climates. They attract butterflies. It grows best in soil that is acidic, organically rich, and well-drained, and it enjoys partial sun with afternoon shadow.
Can you grow peony in Texas?
Texas is inside zones 6 through 9 of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness map. Tree peony may be planted all over the state and are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9.
Does Texas have peony blooms?
Late February to early March is when tree peony often bloom. Around April 1st, herbaceous peonies begin to bloom.
Growers have had success with all varieties of peony, including tree, herbaceous, and intersectional varieties. Itoh hybrids are another name for intersection peonies.
All plants have been harmed by the exceptional heat wave in 2012 and the drought in 2011.
One gardener claimed that many of the well-established plants in her gardens did not survive the hardship of the summers of 2011 and 2012. These include certain tree peonies, contemporary rose hybrids, and hydrangeas. Tree peonies that had flourished in the ground for 6-7 years perished as a result of drought-related stress. Despite the drought, this extremely knowledgeable gardener stated that her “Snow Lotus” tree peony has performed exceptionally well. In fact, she claimed that it is the only tree peony that she would without a doubt advise gardeners in her region to grow. She has a specimen that is almost ten years old, 4.5′ tall, and produced 26 flowers the previous year.
In Texas, amid years of drought, the rockii tree peony ‘Snow Lotus’ has proven to be a particularly dependable grower.
It makes sense that ‘Snow Lotus,’ a domesticated variation of the wild species Paeonia rockii, can withstand dryness and stress better than other varieties of tree peonies that have undergone cross-pollination under more hospitable conditions. P. rockii’s natural habitat is in northwest China, particularly in the desert Gansu Province, where there is only an average of 12 inches of rain per year. This amount of precipitation is less than half of what Dallas, Texas, received during the 2011 drought.
This image was captured in May in the countryside near Lanzhou, in the Gansu province of northwest China. The P. rockii species of tree peony is native to this area.
The rockii or Gansu Chinese tree peonies are therefore suggested for growers in hot, arid regions of the country who are interested in growing tree peony.
Herbaceous peonies are extensively grown in this region and present no unique difficulties.
Site selection: It is recommended to plant peonies in warmer regions so that they can get some shade from the intense summer sun. We advise early sun and afternoon shade for all planting zones. If this is not feasible, place peonies close to a sizable shrub so they can receive some shade from the intense sun.
At least two deep waterings per week are recommended in the spring and summer, with any additional drinks needed in between. Particularly for newly planted peonies, this is crucial.
Additional advice: At the beginning of November, remove any lingering tree peony leaves. Cut the foliage of herbaceous peonies to the ground now as well. Make sure the “eyes” or buds are essentially at the surface when planting herbaceous peonies, with only a thin coating of soil or mulch covering them.
In Texas, are peony perennials?
The huge, fragrant blooms of peonies, which are perennial plants with tuberous roots, make them highly prized. Not all locations of Texas are ideal for planting peony since they need a cool winter to thrive and bloom. If you plant them in the fall and the tubers have three or more eyes, they have a better chance of blooming the first year (buds). Check your peony tubers for rot before planting. Thankfully, you can remove rotten areas with a knife rather than discarding the plant.
Pick a peony that thrives in the USDA plant hardiness zone where you live. Zones 2 through 8 are where most peony thrive, while Texas falls between zones 6 and 9. You should be able to purchase peonies in your neighbourhood nursery, order some online, or get some from a catalogue that will thrive in your area, unless you reside in zone 9 where your winters are too warm.
- The huge, fragrant blooms of peonies, which are perennial plants with tuberous roots, make them highly prized.
- If you plant them in the fall and the tubers have three or more eyes, they have a better chance of blooming the first year (buds).
Pick a spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of sunlight each day. The summers are scorching hot in Texas, regardless of where you live. Choose a location for your peonies where they will get the most sunlight in the morning and some light shade in the afternoon.
Build each of your peony a rich, well-draining planting hole so they can develop over time. Each hole should be 3 feet apart from the next. Each hole should be dug out to a depth of 12 to 18 inches and a width of 18 inches. Compost, peat moss, or some similar organic material should be incorporated into the soil 2 to 4 inches deep. At the bottom of each hole, dispense 1/4 to 1/2 pounds of a balanced fertiliser with the label 10-10-10.
- Pick a spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of sunlight each day.
- At the bottom of each hole, dispense 1/4 to 1/2 pounds of a balanced fertiliser with the label 10-10-10.
Refill the hole with the amended soil, being sure to leave room for the peony tubers to fit inside. The eyes should be 1 to 2 inches below the surface of the ground at the top of the hole.
Give your peony about an inch of water to soak in. In Texas, avoid covering peonies with a winter mulch.
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, savour 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 odours 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 favourable. 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 fertiliser. Before planting, till the soil thoroughly while adding compost and a small amount of fertiliser.
- Early summer, after the peonies have flowered and you have deadheaded the blooms, is the ideal time to apply fertiliser (such as bonemeal, compost, or well-rotted manure) to a soil that is deficient in nutrients. Keep fertilising 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