Peonies are highly desirable garden additions, celebrated for their large, fragrant flowers and their remarkable longevity in the landscape. These perennials are often passed down through generations, making the initial acquisition a significant step in establishing a long-term garden feature. Understanding the various ways peonies are offered for sale, along with how to assess their quality, is the best way to ensure a successful start for these magnificent plants. This guidance focuses on navigating the purchasing process to secure a healthy, well-suited peony.
Purchase Format Options
The physical format in which a peony is sold significantly impacts its initial cost, the variety available, and how quickly it establishes itself in the garden. Most peony purchases are made either as dormant bare roots or as actively growing potted plants.
Bare root peonies are essentially divisions of a mature plant, sold without soil, usually in the fall. This format offers the widest selection of cultivars, including rare and specialized types like Itoh or Tree Peonies, which are often not available otherwise. They are also generally the most economical choice compared to container-grown plants of the same variety, shipping easily and establishing a strong root system before the next growing season.
Potted peonies are actively growing plants sold in containers during the spring and early summer. The main advantage of this format is instant visual confirmation of the plant’s variety and immediate greenery in the garden. However, they are typically more expensive than bare roots and the selection is often limited to common, highly popular varieties found at local nurseries.
A separate purchasing option is buying peonies as cut flowers, which are harvested for temporary indoor enjoyment. These blooms, often cut at the “marshmallow” stage when the bud is soft but not fully open, offer a limited-time display of the flower’s beauty and fragrance. This is distinct from purchasing a plant for cultivation, as cut flowers do not lead to a permanent garden specimen.
Retail Sources and Their Specifics
The source of your peony plant will influence the available selection, the price point, and the level of expertise provided with the sale. Carefully considering the vendor type can help a buyer find the specific cultivar they are seeking.
Specialty Growers and Online Nurseries
Specialty growers and dedicated online nurseries are the best source for high-quality, rare, or complex peony types. These vendors often specialize in bare root divisions, offering a vast catalog that includes Intersectional (Itoh) and Tree Peonies. Purchasing from a specialist typically ensures proper cultivar identification and the highest quality root stock.
Local Garden Centers
Local garden centers and independent nurseries are valuable resources for buying potted peonies and common herbaceous varieties. The primary benefit of these locations is the opportunity to consult with knowledgeable staff for regional advice and to physically inspect the growing plant before purchase. However, their inventory is usually restricted to the more common, reliable types that sell quickly in the spring.
Big Box Stores
Big box stores or large retailers often offer bare root packages at a lower budget. Buyers should exercise caution with these purchases. The roots may have been stored for extended periods, potentially compromising their viability, and the labeling may not always guarantee the correct variety. While they are an accessible option, the quality and the variety authenticity are less certain compared to a dedicated nursery.
Timing the Purchase for Success
The time of year for the transaction is important for successful establishment, as peonies have a preferred planting window based on their dormancy cycle. Aligning the purchase with the optimal planting season gives the plant the best chance to thrive long-term.
The most successful method for planting peonies is by acquiring bare roots in the fall, typically from late September through November. Planting during this period allows the root to develop fine, nutrient-absorbing root hairs before the ground freezes, supporting strong spring growth. This timing is aligned with the plant’s natural dormancy cycle, which minimizes transplant shock.
Potted peonies are most commonly purchased and transplanted in the spring or early summer. While this offers immediate visual impact, planting a container-grown peony outside of the fall season can be less ideal for long-term establishment. The plant’s energy is focused on foliage and flowers rather than root development, which can result in a slower start compared to a fall-planted bare root.
Quality Assessment and Inspection
Regardless of the retail source or format chosen, a physical inspection of the plant material is necessary to confirm its health and viability. The quality of the division or plant is directly tied to its ability to establish and flower in the coming years.
Bare Root Inspection
For bare root purchases, the root division should feel firm and plump, avoiding any that appear shriveled, soft, or moldy. The industry standard for a viable root division is the presence of at least three to five “eyes.” These eyes are the small, pink or red buds located at the crown. They are the dormant growth points that will develop into the next season’s stems and foliage, making their presence a direct indicator of future performance.
Potted Plant Inspection
When examining a potted peony, inspect the foliage for signs of disease, such as powdery mildew or botrytis, which can appear as grey or brown spots on the leaves. Check the depth of the crown, which is the point where the stems emerge from the soil. The crown should be planted very near the soil surface, as planting too deeply is a common cause of peonies failing to flower. Final verification involves ensuring the plant is clearly and accurately labeled, confirming the purchased variety matches the desired color and type.