Peonies are highly desired garden plants, celebrated for their large, fragrant blooms and impressive longevity. These perennials can thrive for decades, becoming a cherished feature in any garden space. They are equally popular as a seasonal cut flower, bringing luxury and volume to floral arrangements. This guide walks you through the purchasing process, whether you are seeking healthy rootstock for a long-term investment or vibrant, fresh blooms for immediate enjoyment.
Understanding the Different Ways to Purchase Peonies
Peony buyers generally choose from three primary forms: bare roots, potted plants, or cut flowers, each representing a different stage of the plant’s life cycle. Bare roots are dormant root divisions, typically purchased in the fall for garden establishment. This method is the most economical and offers the widest selection of named varieties. Bare root stock requires patience, as it focuses on long-term root development before producing abundant blooms.
Potted peonies are usually purchased in the spring or early summer, offering quicker establishment in the garden. Since they are actively growing, potted plants provide a visual confirmation of the plant’s health and the true color of the foliage. These are often easier to find in local garden centers, though the selection of unique cultivars may be more limited than with bare roots.
Cut flowers are purchased for immediate use in bouquets or arrangements and are available seasonally, typically from late spring to early summer. While some imported peonies may be available year-round, the freshest and highest-quality blooms coincide with the peak domestic growing season. Buying cut flowers allows for instant gratification, providing the classic peony look without the commitment of garden planting.
Key Selection Criteria for Quality
When selecting a bare root, quality is determined by the size and firmness of the rootstock. A premium root division should feel firm and be free of soft or moldy spots, which indicate rot. Crucially, the root must have at least three to five “eyes,” which are the small, reddish-pink buds representing the growth points for the next season’s stems and flowers.
For potted plants, assess the foliage for signs of health, looking for deep green leaves without yellowing, brown spots, or evidence of pests. The root crown, where the stems emerge, should be situated at or very near the soil surface. If the crown is buried too deeply, the plant may fail to flower for years after being transplanted.
Choosing quality cut flowers requires selecting blooms in the “marshmallow stage,” which refers to tight buds that feel soft and slightly spongy when gently pressed. Buds that are hard and tight, sometimes called the “marble stage,” may fail to open entirely, while fully open flowers have a significantly reduced vase life. Inspect the stems for any sliminess or browning at the cut end, which indicates bacterial issues that shorten the flower’s freshness.
Optimal Timing and Vendor Sourcing
The optimal time to purchase bare root peonies for planting is in the fall, several weeks before the ground freezes. Fall planting allows the root to establish fine feeder roots during cool soil temperatures. Although spring planting is possible, fall-planted peonies generally establish faster and are more likely to bloom sooner.
Cut flowers are highly seasonal, with the main domestic crop harvested in late spring and early summer. Specialty florists may stock imported blooms outside of this window, but the size and fragrance may not match in-season varieties. For long-term garden varieties, sourcing from specialized peony nurseries is recommended, as they offer the greatest range of named cultivars and guarantee the variety’s authenticity.
Local garden centers are convenient for purchasing potted plants in the spring, but their stock is usually limited to common varieties. When seeking specific colors or bloom types, such as Itoh or tree peonies, reputable mail-order nurseries provide the best opportunity to acquire certified, high-quality root divisions. Buying from a specialist vendor helps ensure the plant you receive is true to its variety name.
Immediate Care After Purchase
If you have purchased bare roots, they must be planted promptly to prevent drying out. The most important step is ensuring the eyes are covered with only one to two inches of soil. Planting the root deeper than this recommended shallow depth is the most common reason peonies fail to produce flowers, as the buds require exposure to winter chill to set blooms.
Potted peonies should be transplanted as soon as possible, ensuring the top of the root ball remains level with the surrounding soil. After planting either bare roots or potted stock, water the area thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Avoiding heavy mulching directly over the crown is advisable, as this can inadvertently bury the eyes too deeply and mimic the effects of deep planting.
For cut flowers, first remove any foliage that would sit below the water line in the vase to prevent bacterial growth. Recutting the stem ends at an angle using a sharp knife or shears increases the surface area for water absorption, aiding in hydration. Place the prepared stems immediately into a clean vase filled with fresh water and a commercial flower food solution to maximize vase life.