Peonies are a cherished addition to any garden, known for their abundant, fragrant blooms and enduring presence. These plants offer striking visual appeal, making them a popular choice for gardeners. Their ability to return year after year with spectacular displays enhances gardens for many seasons.
Types of Peonies
Peonies include diverse plant types. Herbaceous peonies are common, dying back each winter and re-emerging in spring. Tree peonies are woody shrubs that maintain structure year-round, producing large blooms on permanent stems. Itoh peonies, or intersectional peonies, combine traits from both, offering compact growth and a wide array of bloom colors.
Planting Peonies
Planting peonies correctly is important for abundant flowering. The best time for planting bare-root peonies is in the fall, from late September through October, allowing roots to establish before winter. A suitable site receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily and has well-draining soil, ideally with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0.
When preparing the site, dig a hole wide enough for the roots and amend heavy clay soils with compost to improve drainage. The key aspect of planting is depth: the “eyes” or buds on the root division should be no more than one to two inches below the soil surface. Planting too deeply often results in a lack of blooms.
Peony Care
Once established, peonies require minimal ongoing care. Water during dry spells, especially for newly planted specimens, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Established peonies are drought-resistant, so avoid overwatering, which can lead to root issues. Fertilization is usually not needed if the soil was well-amended at planting, but if necessary, apply a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring after new growth emerges.
Providing support, such as stakes or peony rings, can prevent heavy blooms from flopping over, especially after rain. Deadheading spent flowers improves appearance, and a thorough fall clean-up of foliage helps prevent disease.
Common Issues
Peonies are robust but can experience issues. A common concern is a lack of blooms, often caused by planting too deeply, insufficient sunlight, or immature plants needing a few years to establish. Ants are often observed on peony buds, attracted by sugary nectar, but they are harmless and do not prevent flowers from opening. Fungal diseases like Botrytis blight (brown spots, wilting) can occur in cool, wet conditions, and powdery mildew appears as a white coating on leaves. Good air circulation and fall clean-up of plant debris help manage these issues.