How to grow peonies in your garden
Everyone loves peony flowers, but you might feel nervous if you haven’t grown peonies before. Let me give you some tips to help you enjoy this favorite spring flower.
Peonies are long-lived perennials that are likely to live 50 or more years.
Peony plants continue to grow and get bigger each year, and the larger the plant, the more flowers it can produce.
This Coral Sunset peony is available in my online farm store.
Where can I grow peonies?
Peony plants are hardy in USDA zones 3-8. Though peonies will survive and can bloom in zone 8, they’re happier, healthier, and produce more flowers in the cooler zones.
In the ground: If you have a garden, this one’s easy. If you’re in USDA zone 3-8, you can plant your peonies right in your garden. Be aware, though, that peonies need about six weeks of cold temperatures (under 39 degrees) to bloom well. An warm winter in zone 8 might not provide enough chilling hours for good blooming in the spring.
In containers: If you don’t have a garden, don’t worry. If you’re in USDA zone 5-8, you can grow most peonies in large pots on your balcony or patio. You’ll need to pay attention to the watering needs of potted peonies, since containers dry out more quickly than garden soil, and have a plan for fertilizing with a slow release granular fertilizer each spring.
Sarah Bernhardt is one of the most popular peony varieties in the United States.
The classic pink, frilly flower has a sweet rose scent that is the epitome of a what a peony should be.
When should I plant my peonies?
Bare-root peonies do best when planted in the fall so they can settle in and get established in cool weather. They can be planted anytime the ground isn’t frozen.
Bare-root peonies can also be planted in the early spring while soil temperatures are still cool. Avoid planting in late spring or summer.
How should I plant my peonies?
Choose a full-sun location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the entire peony root. Position it with the eyes facing up and cover the eyes with no more than 1” or 2” of soil. If you plant the eyes too deep, the plant will produce foliage but few or no flowers.
When planting multiple peonies, give each plenty of room to breathe with 24” to 36” between them.
Peonies don’t like being disturbed, and your plants probably won’t bloom much for the first year or two after planting. By year three, they should be comfortable and producing several blooms. If they don’t bloom by year 3, make sure the crown isn’t covered by more than 1” of soil or mulch, and make sure the plant gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
What kind of soil do my peonies need?
Peony plants prefer a loose, well-drained and fertile soil with neutral or slightly alkaline soil. If you decide to mulch your peonies, you should keep the mulch pulled back several inches from the crown of the plant. Remember, peony plants need cold weather to bloom their best, so we don’t want to insulate the plant with mulch around the crown.
Duchesse de Nemours is an elegant white peony with a hint of yellow at the base.
With strong stems and a wonderful fragrance, it’s perfect in the garden or in bouquets. Available now in my online flower store.
What are common peony diseases?
Unfortunately peonies are susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases like botrytis and bacterial leaf spot. Typically, you’ll see black or brown spots on the leaves, dead shriveled buds, and dark discolored stems.
You can help reduce disease problems by planting your peonies with plenty of room to grow and airflow between plants. Try to avoid getting the leaves wet when you’re watering, and remove any diseased leaves during the growing seasons and especially in the fall. Don’t let diseased leaves stay in the garden over winter!
It’s better to prevent disease rather than try to treat it. You can use a product like Arber Bio Fungicide or Arber Bio Protectant according to label directions to help prevent disease.
What do I do with peony flowers?
When your peony plants bloom in the spring, you’ll have a choice to make: Will you enjoy all the flowers in the garden, or will you cut some or all of them to enjoy indoors?
Peony flowers in the garden: If you plan to leave your peony flowers on the plant and enjoy their beauty in your garden, you may want to stake or coral your peonies in the spring to hold the flowers upright. Sometimes spring rains or strong winds will make tall peony stems with large flowers flop over on the ground if they aren’t supported. Taller plants or those with very large flowers are especially prone to falling over.
When the flowers are done, remove the spent blooms to keep the plant from using energy on unnecessary seed production.
Peony flowers for cutting: Peony flowers, especially the fragrant varieties, are a real treat to have in your spring flower bouquets. Read below for how to cut your peony blooms for the longest vase life.
How do I cut peony flowers for bouquets?
You’ll want to cut your peony flowers when they’re still soft buds - what flower farmers call “marshmallow stage”. This is the moment before they’ve opened up, when they’re showing their color and are soft like a marshmallow when gently squeezed.
Don’t cut a longer stem than you need for your vase. It’s best to leave as much foliage as possible on the peony plant.
Some peony varieties naturally grow multiple flower buds on one stem. You can let them develop and enjoy them all, or you can get the largest flower possible by disbudding your peonies as soon as the buds form.
To disbud your peonies, look at the flower stems as soon as the buds form. Twist off any side buds when they’re very small, about the size of a pea. The peony plant will put all of its energy into the remaining bud, and it will end up larger as a result.
With these tips, you’ll grow beautiful peonies in your garden and have many flowers to enjoy for years to come!
Whether you’re new to peonies or want to add to your peony garden, take a look at my farm store. There’s sure to be a peony you can’t wait to grow!