Peonies: How to Grow and Care with Success

Why should I grow Peony Flowers?

There are many reasons why you should consider growing peony flowers:

Beautiful flowers: They produce large, showy blooms in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, white, and yellow. They make a stunning addition to any garden or floral arrangement.

Long-lasting: They have a long season of interest, with their exquisite flowers blooming in the late spring to early summer. Their foliage remains lush and green throughout the summer, providing an attractive backdrop for other plants in the garden. In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant shade of red or gold before falling off for the winter.

Perennial: Peonies are perennials, meaning they come back year after year. Once established, they can live for decades and become a beautiful and reliable fixture in your garden.

Easy to care for: They are relatively low-maintenance plants that are easy to grow.

Fragrance: Many varieties have a sweet, pleasant fragrance that adds to their overall appeal.

Attract pollinators: The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making them a great choice for pollinator gardens.

Medicinal properties: Some studies have shown that peonies have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

Overall, peonies are a beautiful and easy-to-grow plant that can add color, fragrance, and interest to your garden for years to come.

Peony Types

Peonies are divided into three main groups: herbaceous peonies, intersectional peonies, and tree peonies.

Herbaceous peonies

• These are the most common type of peony and the ones most people think of when they hear the word “peonies”.
• They are perennial plants that die back to the ground in the winter and grow back each spring.
• They produce large, fragrant flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and yellow. Some have double or semi-double blooms, while others have single blooms.
• They bloom in late spring – early summer for approximately 7-10 days.
• They do best in hardiness zones 3 to 8.

Tree peonies

• These are shrubby plants that grow into small trees. They have woody stems and do not die back to the ground in the winter like herbaceous peonies.
• They produce large, showy flowers in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, yellow, white, and purple.
• The flowers are often very fragrant and can be single or double blooms.
• They bloom before the herbaceous peonies (April – May) and thrive in hardiness zones 4 to 9.

Intersectional peonies

• Also known as Itoh peonies, intersectional peonies are hybrids between herbaceous and tree peonies. They have the best characteristics of both types, including the large, showy flowers of tree peonies and the hardiness and disease resistance of herbaceous peonies.
• Itoh peonies produce up to 50 or more huge flowers on sturdy short stems that do not require staking.
• Intersectional peonies come in a wide range of colors and bloom forms and are becoming increasingly popular among gardeners.
• They generally bloom after the herbaceous peonies for 3-4 weeks.

There are over 3 000 peony cultivars available (!!!), and you may want to determine first what you are exactly looking for before buying.

When to plant Peony flowers

Peonies are usually planted in the fall (September to November) in most regions, allowing them enough time to establish roots before the winter.

In warmer regions, peonies can also be planted in the spring (March to May) when the soil has warmed up.

Planting in the fall is often preferred as it allows for earlier bloom times in the spring. However, if you missed planting in the fall, the spring planting will work as well; just make sure the soil has warmed up before planting.

Where to Plant Peony flowers

Climate: Most peonies grow best in cool climates (Hardiness zones 3-8). They need a pronounced period of winter chilling to bloom well. In the southern states, choose early-blooming varieties and provide some shade.

Sunlight: thrive in areas with full sun to partial shade, with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Full sun is better as peonies bloom best in sunny spots except in the South, where afternoon shade is appreciated and will help the flowers last longer.

Soil: They prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter and has a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil is heavy or very sandy, enrich it with compost. Incorporate about 1 cup of bonemeal into the soil.

Water: They require consistent moisture, but they do not tolerate waterlogged soil

How to plant Peonies

Choose the right location: Select a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day and has well-draining soil. Peonies prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Plant your peony away from trees or shrubs, as they don’t like to compete for food and moisture. Provide shelter from strong winds. Peony plants do not respond well to transplanting, so choose your planting location carefully!

Prepare the soil: Dig a hole about 2 feet (60 cm) deep and wide. Add a four inches (10 cm) layer of organic matter such as compost, pine bark, or well-aged manure. A half cup of good plant food (10-6-4), bone meal, or superphosphate should be mixed into this layer. Mix the amendments into the soil.

Plant: Place your peony in the hole so that the buds are facing up and the top of the root ball is about 2 inches (5 cm) below the soil surface. Backfill the hole, ensuring that the soil doesn’t bury the root deeper than two in. (5 cm), or your plant may not bloom. Water thoroughly.

Space: Space your plants three to four feet apart (90-120 cm) to ensure good air circulation.

Peonies do not flower during the first year of planting and may take up to two years to produce their showy, fragrant bloom

Mulch the plant: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Make sure the mulch does not touch the stem of the plant.

Landscaping with Peonies

Peonies are versatile plants that can be used in a variety of landscaping settings. Here are some ways to incorporate peonies into your garden:

Garden borders: Peonies are commonly used to create colorful borders along garden beds, pathways, and fences. Plant them along the edge of a garden bed or pathway to add a pop of color.

Foundation plantings: Peonies can be used as foundation plantings to provide a beautiful and fragrant backdrop for other plants and hardscape elements.

Mass plantings: When planted in large groups, peonies can create a stunning display of color and texture.

Mixed borders: Peonies can be combined with other flowering plants, shrubs, and trees to create a beautiful and diverse mixed border. Pair them with delphiniums, foxgloves, or salvias to create a stunning mixed border.

Cottage gardens: With their old-fashioned charm and beautiful blooms, peonies are a popular choice for cottage garden designs.

Formal gardens: Peonies can be used to create elegant and formal garden designs, especially when combined with other formal elements such as topiary and statuary.

Peony plants have many companion plants, including Alliums, Bearded Irises, Siberian Irises, Columbines, Spring Bulbs, Roses, small shrubs and trees.

Peony Care

Peonies almost thrive on neglect, but they do require some care to ensure they grow and bloom to their fullest potential. Here are some tips:

Watering: Provide regular watering, especially during dry spells. Water deeply once a week or when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Avoid getting water on the foliage to prevent disease.

Fertilizing: Feed in early spring and again halfway through the growing season. Cultivate a half cup of low nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) into the soil when new growth is about 2 or 3 in. high (5-7 cm).

Ensure not to damage the roots, and keep the fertilizer from direct contact with them. Over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen plant food, results in weak stems and reduced flowering.

Mulching: A layer of 2-4 in. (5-10 cm) organic mulch around the base of the plant helps to retain moisture and suppress weeds. However, avoid mulching too close to the stems as it can cause rot. This mulch must be removed and destroyed before winter, and a new, fresh winter mulch of loose straw or evergreen boughs added to help control diseases.

Staking: Staking may be required as the large flowers tend to arch toward the ground and may be driven to the ground by a hard rain. Some peony plants do not require staking.

Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent the plant from using energy to produce seeds. In the fall, cut back the stems to the ground after the foliage has died back to avoid any overwintering disease.

Winter protection: In colder climates, peonies may benefit from a layer of mulch or straw to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.

Overall, peonies are relatively easy to care for and can be a stunning addition to any garden or landscape with their large, colorful blooms and lush foliage.

Pests and Diseases

Peonies are generally low-maintenance plants that are not frequently bothered by pests or diseases. However, they can be susceptible to a few common problems, including:

Botrytis blight: This fungal disease can cause brown spots on the leaves and flowers, as well as a gray mold on the stems. To prevent this, avoid overhead watering and remove any infected plant material.

Phytophthora blight: Another fungal disease that can cause dark spots on the leaves and stems, as well as root rot. To prevent this, make sure the soil is well-draining and avoid overwatering.

Verticillium wilt: This soil-borne fungal disease can cause yellowing and wilting of the leaves. To prevent this, plant in well-draining soil and avoid planting them in areas where other plants have previously been infected.

Nematodes: Nematodes are microscopic worms that can invade the roots and cause damage, leading to stunted growth, wilting, and yellowing of leaves. The best way to prevent nematode infestation is to plant peonies in well-drained soil and avoid over-fertilization. If nematodes are present, the affected plants should be removed and destroyed.

Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects the leaves, causing a white, powdery coating on the foliage. It can weaken the plant and reduce flower production. The disease can be prevented by providing good air circulation around the plants and avoiding overhead watering. Fungicides can be used to control powdery mildew if it becomes severe.

Root rot: Root rot is a fungal disease that affects the roots, causing them to rot and decay. It is often caused by overwatering and poorly drained soil. To prevent root rot, plant peonies in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering. If root rot is present, the affected plants should be removed and destroyed.

White mold: White mold is a fungal disease that affects stems and leaves, causing them to wilt and die. The disease can be prevented by providing good air circulation around the plants and avoiding overhead watering.

Note: Never spray the ants crawling on the peony buds, as they protect them against bud-eating pests.

Overall, the best way to prevent pest and disease problems is to provide them with proper care and maintenance, including regular watering, fertilizing, and pruning, as well as removing any infected plant material promptly.