- Keep plants neat by deadheading and prune as needed (herbaceous only).
- When peonies become congested and produce fewer blooms, divide the plants.
- When the blossoms feel like soft marshmallows, cut the stems for bouquets. Water should contain Miracle-Gro for Fresh Cut Flowers.
When the peonies blossom, you can finally start to feel the arrival of summer. Around Memorial Day, when spring bulb flowers are starting to fade and summer blooms are beginning to emerge, these stunning perennials bloom profusely. Peonies are resistant to deer and rabbits, which is useful for gardeners who frequently experience issues with animals eating their plants. Peonies are frequently seen blooming despite years of neglect if you drive through old cemeteries or abandoned farmsteads. That is because to how simple peony are to grow!
How to Choose Peonies
Peonies come in four different varieties. They are forest peonies, tree peonies, herbaceous peonies, and intersectional peonies, in the order of blooming time. Herbaceous peonies, which thrive in zones 3–7, and tree peonies, which flourish in zones 3–9, are the two most popular varieties. Herbaceous plants often reach heights of two to three feet and spreads of two to four feet. With some types reaching heights of 7 feet, tree peony are more closely related to tiny shrubs. The type of peony you plant will depend on where you live and the style you’re going for because all peonies require similar maintenance. The focus of this paper will be on tree and herbaceous peony.
When to Plant Peonies
Fall is the ideal season to plant peonies. This is often when peonies purchased from a catalog will be delivered. It’s okay to plant peonies when you see them flowering and for sale in containers in the spring.
Where to Plant Peonies
Peonies require at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day, though in zones 8 and 9, some shade from the sweltering afternoon sun is beneficial. Additionally, picking a location with sufficient air circulation is crucial to avoiding fungal illnesses.
How to Plant Peonies
In somewhat damp, well-drained soil, peonies thrive. Dig a hole, take the plant from the pot, and plant container-grown herbaceous peonies (the kind you buy in pots) so that the top of the root ball is level with the earth (any deeper and the peonies will not bloom). Fill up the area surrounding the plant by combining the discarded soil with an equal amount of Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers.
Before planting bare root herbaceous peonies, give them a brief dip in a basin of water to rehydrate them. Create a planting hole that is big enough to fit the roots, mix the soil as previously mentioned, and place a mound of the blended soil in the middle of the planting hole. Place the roots atop the mound and let them fan out and descend. Using the remaining blended soil, fill in the remaining portion of the hole, making sure that the “No more than 1 to 2 inches of soil should be present around the plant’s eyes (or growth buds) in order for it to bloom.
Deeper planting is required for tree peony. Unless they are grafted, peonies should be planted in the same soil combination as above, 2 to 4 inches deep at the crown (where the roots meet the stem). Check the label to see if the plant has been grafted, and then plant it such that the “The plant’s graft union, where the grafted top and rootstock are united, is located 4 to 6 inches below the soil line.
How to Stake Peonies
Peony stems are prone to toppling over after it rains, and the blossoms can become big and heavy. For herbaceous peonies, the best approach is to cover each plant in a peony cage in the spring, before the leaves begin to sprout (picture metal supports with rings for the flowers to grow up through). This is far more effective than attempting to hold each flower stalk separately, and it also looks nicer than wrapping the entire plant in string and cinching it in like a belt.
One stake can be used to stake tree peonies. Place the stake next to the stem in the ground, and then use a piece of twine to loosely secure the plant to the stake.
How to Water Peonies
When planting, give everything plenty of water. When the spring foliage begins to emerge and the flower buds start to show, give the plants another drink. Although peonies do not have a thirst, they will benefit from watering during dry spells for a year following the first planting.
How to Feed Peonies
Your peony will benefit from a powerful combination of care that includes excellent soil and the ideal plant food. Give peonies the nutrition they require by feeding them Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Rose & Bloom Plant Food in addition to the soil improvements indicated above for stunning color and more flowers than unfed plants. Peonies should be fed twice a year: the first time, right after they emerge in the spring (when the new shoots are 2 to 3 inches tall but before the flower buds are pea-sized), and the second time, in the middle of the growing season (about three months after the first feeding), to help them develop sturdy roots before the arrival of winter. Make sure you adhere to label instructions.
How to Help Prevent Problems with Peonies
Although mostly fuss-free, peonies occasionally experience fungal issues. Browning and failure to open flower buds are symptoms of botrytis. Brown patches on leaves are a symptom of some fungus illnesses. Infected blooms and leaves should be simply pruned off and disposed of (do not compost) in order to control these problems. Additionally, keep the plants neat, remove old foliage at the end of the season, and deadhead spent blooms. Peony blooms occasionally draw ants, but they won’t hurt the plants, so you can ignore them. (Contrary to popular belief, peonies do not require ants to blossom.)
How to Prune Peonies
Cut back each flower stalk on herbaceous peonies once all of the blooms have faded to just above a leaf, low enough so that the stem doesn’t protrude above the rest of the leaves. Unruly tree peony can be trimmed either in the spring or the fall (right before plants go dormant). However, any stems you trim back in the fall will not blossom the following spring (as you will be cutting off the flower buds). After blossoming in the spring, you can prune. Anytime you choose to prune, be careful not to take more than one-third of the plant with you.
How to Divide Peonies
It is ideal to leave tree peony alone (undivided) so they can flourish for many generations in the garden. If the clumps have become too large or the flowering has slowed, herbaceous peonies can be divided. Herbaceous peonies can be divided by digging up the entire clump and rinsing it off to reveal the plant’s numerous roots and eyes (or buds). Leave as least one large root and three to four eyes per clump after cutting the plant apart with clean, sharp pruners. Replant, adhering to the bare root peony planting directions above. The plants might or might not flower the first year after dividing, so keep that in mind.
How to Cut Peonies for Bouquets
Timing is crucial. Buds should feel roughly as firm as a soft marshmallow when squeezed, which is known as the “soft marshmallow stage.” Examining the bud’s coloration is another method for determining when to cut. The majority of the bud’s exterior should remain green, but you should be able to make out approximately half an inch of the flower’s vibrant petals. Although cutting the flowers at this point lessens the possibility of bringing ants inside with them, it is still advisable to inspect the flowers before bringing them inside. Plants should open up when stems are placed in a vase of water. For longer-lasting blooms, change the water every few days and apply Miracle-Gro for Fresh Cut Flowers (vs. water only).
Ready to begin peony cultivation? To learn more about a product, to buy it online, or to locate a retailer near you, click on any of the product links above.
What peony are the simplest to grow?
In June, the peony variety “Coral Charm” blooms, changing color as it does so. It begins salmon pink, gradually morphs into orange, and ultimately turns yellow. Strong stems enable it to reach a height of 90 cm, making it a suitable border plant.
Peony ‘Duchess of Kent’
Peony “Duchess of Kent” is a robust Japanese tree peony that may grow to a height of up to 1.2 meters. Early in May, tulip-shaped ruby buds appear. Throughout May, they open to display big, ruffled blooms with a faint violet tint.
Peony ‘Duchess of Marlborough’
This well-known Japanese tree peony type blooms in the middle of the season with enormous, pale pink flowers. Every year, the peony variety “Duchess of Marlborough” blooms profusely.
Peony ‘Laura Dessert’
The delicate, creamy-yellow blooms of the fragrant French cultivar “Laura Dessert” have a ruffled, pompom-like center. They bloom in the middle of the season and give the border a new aroma.
Peony ‘Lollipop’
Peony The junction peony “Lollipop” has distinctive pink-spattered apricot blossoms. The flowers are well-held by the stalks, which also have delicate leaves. This type blooms in the middle of the growing season and develops into an 80 cm tall “bush.”
Peony ‘Pink Hawaiian Coral’
Peony “Pink Hawaiian Coral” is frequently used to extend the peony growing season in gardens since it blooms early in the year, around late May. It grows quickly and easily and produces huge coral-pink blooms. It heightens to about 90 cm.
Peony ‘Prairie Moon’
‘Prairie Moon’ is a herbaceous peony that reaches a height of around 75 cm. The single white flowers have a vibrant yellow center. Because it blooms early, the border will be more interesting in June.
Peony ‘Shimanishiki’
This striking peony with red and white stripes bears numerous, distinctive blooms. A popular Japanese tree peony with a clean “shrub” habit is called “Shimanishiki.”
Peony ‘Souvenir de Maxime Cornu’
The peach-colored blooms on this French tree peony are rather enormous and double-ruffled. The blossoms get stronger in color as they mature and hang downward under the weight of themselves. The peony “Souvenir de Maxime Cornu” will eventually reach a height of about 1.2 meters.
Peony ‘Bartzella’
The intersectional peony known as “Bartzella” has enormous, frilled, yellow flowers with a flash of pink surrounding a ring of bright yellow stamens and a delicate, citrus-like aroma. In September, it occasionally has a second flush of blooms.
Peony ‘Chocolate Soldier’
Peony “Chocolate Soldier” has cup-shaped flowers that are the darkest red with a centre flush of bright yellow stamens. They complement other plants with dark flowers well, but they can also be cultivated with lighter hues to emphasize their blackness. “Chocolate Soldier” blooms well when clipped.
Peony ‘Nippon Beauty’
A late-flowering herbaceous peony called “Nippon Beauty” has lavish, deep red, semi-double flowers that stand out against the plant’s dark green leaves. The fringed petals in the center of the flower have a cream flush. It works well as a cut flower.
Peony ‘Claire De Lune’
The peony variety “Claire de Lune” has lovely, single flowers that are a soft lemon-yellow color with a large center of deep yellow stamens. The leaves are a lush, deep green, and the flower stems are scarlet. It works well as a cut flower.
Peony ‘Bowl Of Beauty’
Amazing pink flowers with a central core of small, strap-like petals and a great fragrance can be found on peony “Bowl of Beauty” plants. It makes a great focal point for a sizable herbaceous border and can even be planted in a sizable pot. It makes for a unique cut flower.
Peony ‘Sarah Bernhardt’
The peony variety “Sarah Bernhardt” produces large, fragrant, double blossoms that are rose pink with ruffled, white petals. Flowers stems might require staking. It works well as a cut flower.
Peony ‘Le Cygne’
The magnificent double-flowered peony “Le Cygne” produces enormous white blooms with gently curved petals and yellow stamens. It makes a wonderful cut flower and is ideal for growing in a mixed herbaceous border container.
Peony ‘Immaculee’
The bowl-shaped white flowers of the peony ‘Imaculee’ have contrasting crimson stamens and a central core of small, strap-like white petals. The flowers are suitable for arranging and have a pleasant scent. It would thrive in a container or mixed herbaceous border.
Peony ‘Instituteur Doriat’
The deepest pink peony variety “Instituteur Doriat” contains anemone-like flowers with a central core of deep pink, strap-like petals with white tips. It has dark green foliage. It makes a great cut flower and is ideal for planting in a container or mixed herbaceous garden.
Peony ‘Bowl of Love’
The peony “Bowl of Love” is a smaller variation of the “Bowl of Beauty.” It produces stunning pink flowers with a central core of minuscule, strap-like petals and a delightful scent.
When may fresh peony be purchased?
You shouldn’t have too much issue locating some fresh-cut peonies if it’s spring and you’re trying to buy some. And at this time of year, you shouldn’t have to pledge your firstborn in exchange for a peony bouquet. Peony blooms in the spring. Peonies normally begin blooming in April and continue through some time in June, with May being the peak of peony season.
Even though peonies are often expensive, the best deal may be found by purchasing them during their prime season. The size and attention-grabbing nature of peony is one of their outstanding qualities. This implies that you are not required to possess a pricey peony bouquet. Just a few peonies mixed in with some other blossoms can be equally eye-catching.
What is the price of a peony?
Generally speaking, peonies cost more than roses. When it comes to cost, The Enchanted Florist and Flirty Fleurs rank peonies higher than roses. Peonies are priced (wholesale) at roughly $3 to $9 per stem according to ValuePenguin, but garden roses are priced at about $4 to $7 per stem. This split is not always accurate, though, as expenses can differ greatly based on a number of variables.