Reblooming peonies offer multiple flushes of blooms within a single growing season. Unlike traditional peonies that offer a singular spring display, these varieties extend their flowering period, sometimes into summer or early fall.
How Reblooming Peonies Differ
The fundamental difference between reblooming and traditional peonies lies in their capacity for successive bloom cycles. While most peonies form flower buds once per season, reblooming types develop additional buds on newly grown stems after their initial bloom, creating a longer period of visual appeal.
Popular Reblooming Peony Varieties
Several peony varieties rebloom, offering a range of colors and forms. ‘Bartzella’ is a popular Itoh peony, a hybrid cross between herbaceous and tree peonies, known for its large, fragrant yellow blossoms that can blush red towards the center. Another notable Itoh variety, ‘Canary Brilliants’, has demonstrated a tendency to rebloom, producing yellow flowers that may develop an orange cast indoors. Some tree peonies like ‘High Noon’ have also been observed to produce additional blooms later in the season. ‘Coral Charm’ is an herbaceous peony that has occasionally rebloomed in late July, displaying coral-pink hues.
Cultivating Repeat Blooms
Encouraging reblooming peonies to produce multiple flushes requires specific care. These plants thrive in locations that receive a minimum of six hours of direct sun per day. In hotter climates, providing some afternoon shade can help prolong bloom life.
The soil composition is also a factor in their performance. Peonies prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter, with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. For heavy clay soils, incorporating compost and grit can improve drainage. Proper spacing of plants, about 3 to 4 feet apart, ensures good air circulation.
Consistent watering is necessary, especially during dry spells and for newly planted specimens. Deep watering once a week, or when the top inch of soil feels dry, is recommended. Avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of fungal diseases.
Fertilization supports robust growth and reblooming. A low-nitrogen fertilizer can be applied in early spring when new growth emerges and again after the first flush of blooms. For established plants, adding a layer of compost in the spring can provide sufficient nutrients, with additional feeding every three to five years if blooms diminish.
Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, encourages further blooming. By removing faded blooms, the plant redirects energy from seed production towards developing new flowers. Cutting back stems to the ground in the fall helps prevent overwintering diseases.