![]() Leave at least 3 leaves per stem on the plant. ![]() When you cut peonies for the house, pick the flowers in the soft bud stage. You can also use a ring of three or four stakes with loops of tape or plant ties to attach the plants to the stakes for support. Commercial hoops are available for this purpose. Most peonies need support to prevent the stems from flopping under the weight of their flowers. Using a clean, sharp tool, divide the clump into sections, each with three to five eyes and good roots. Carefully lift the clump and wash away the soil to expose the eyes. If you want to divide or move your peonies, do so in late September or October. Peonies may be left undisturbed for many years. They are shrubs and will not grow back if cut down. They should not be used in the compost pile. This is very important if you have had any disease problems. In the fall, after frost, cut back the dead stems of herbaceous peonies down to the soil surface. Remove seed heads after flowering is finished to allow the plant to store more energy for next year’s bloom. When you work around the plants in the early spring, be careful of the tender emerging shoots. Never let fertilizer or manure touch the stems of the plant. Well-rotted manure may be used to improve the soil if it is applied to the soil surface in a 1-to 2-inch layer. Once established, peonies are very drought-resistant.Īpply a low nitrogen complete fertilizer such as 5-10-5 or 5-10-10 at the rate of two to three pounds per 100 square feet in the spring when the stems are about 2 or 3 inches high. Deep watering will encourage deep rooting. Water peonies thoroughly and deeply once every 10 to 14 days. If one or two eye divisions are used it may be several years before the plant flowers. Water thoroughly.ĭivisions with three to five eyes will reach maturity sooner than smaller divisions. Mound extra soil up around them for the first winter.įirm the soil in well around the roots, eliminating air pockets. The graft union should be an inch below ground level. Tree peonies should also be planted in fall. Most failures to bloom are caused by deep planting. Set the roots so that the tip of the eyes (swollen pink or reddish buds) will be no deeper than 1 inch below the surface of the soil. Replace part of the soil in the form of a cone and spread the roots over it. Dig a hole 12 to 18 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Image depicts proper way to plant peonies.įall planting is best. Peonies are long-lived in the garden and are worth extra trouble at the time of planting, since they may stay in the same spot for many years. You may need to add lime to your soil to raise the pH for best growth of peonies. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost, finely ground pine bark or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and organic matter content. Good drainage is vital to avoid root rot and fungal diseases. Well-drained, loamy soil is best for good growth of peonies. ![]() Tree peonies should always have dappled or afternoon shade since the large, silky petals are damaged by excess sun. Afternoon shade will protect flowers from fading too quickly in hot areas. Herbaceous peonies need at least six hours of full sun a day for good bloom. Peonies are used as specimens in borders and herbaceous hedges and are excellent cut flowers. Most peonies have very attractive foliage that makes them a useful addition to the landscape all season. Peonies are grown for their large, showy and fragrant flowers. Tree peonies will begin blooming at about the same time, but will increase slowly in size and bloom quantity. Garden peonies will usually begin blooming within three years after planting. Peonies are long-lived, but slow-growing at first. Tree peonies (which are actually a shrub) grow to about 4 to 5 feet under normal conditions. Some cultivars and species will grow a foot taller or lower. Most herbaceous peonies grow 2 to 3 feet tall in our area with a 3-to 4-foot spread when mature. Wikimedia Commons, Poupou l’quourouce, Creative Commons License 2.5 Height/Spread ![]()
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