Useful Information

Peony Care

Where to plant peonies

Peonies are extremely hardy and adaptable plants. They will grow best in full sun where they will produce the maximum number of blooms. You can expect slightly fewer flowers in shade but they will last longer. Single flowered varieties seem to do better in shade than doubles.

Peonies will grow in most soils provided they are not too wet and are adequately drained. They do well on chalk and in fact prefer slightly alkaline conditions. If your soil is acidic include a handful or two of lime at planting.

A heavier soil is preferable to a light one. If you have a light soil add some loam or well rotted organic matter if you can get hold of some. This will improve moisture retention.

If your garden is in a very exposed and windy area, taller varieties will need staking.

Receiving Your Peony

Most of our peonies are shipped between October and March, as this is the best time to plant. These will be as bare rooted field grown plants. Plants shipped at other times will most likely be container grown.

Field grown plants will be a plump carrot like root which has 3 or more white or pink buds. Don’t worry if you see a white fungal bloom on parts of the roots. This is quite normal.

If you can't plant your peony for a few days or even a few weeks, bed it gently in a pot or tray of potting compost. Keep it moist and in a cold dark place and it will be fine.

Pot grown peonies can be planted at any time your soil is workable.

Planting

Taking a little time to prepare the soil before planting will bring rewards. After all, your peony will probably remain in the same spot for many years. Dig a large hole at least 30cms (12ins) deep. Mix in some well rotted manure or compost and a handful of bone meal or general fertilizer.

The most important planting instruction is:

AVOID PLANTING TOO DEEP.
ALL THE MYTHS ABOUT NOT MOVING PEONIES AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT SULKING ARE ALL DUE TO THEM BEING PLANTED TOO DEEPLY!

The top of the crown should be no more than 5cms (2ins) below the soil surface.

Planting too deeply is the most common reason for a peony failing to flower. Containerized plants are already potted at the correct level, so be guided by this and plant to the same level.

Firm the soil around the eyes of the peony. If you are planting a group of peonies allow about 75cms (30ins) between the plants. Flowering normally starts from the 2nd year after planting.

Caring for Established Plants

Peonies will live for 50 years or more; although they can survive considerable neglect, they will reward any extra care you can give.

In the autumn cut down the dead foliage at ground level and clear it away. Top dress with a handful of bone meal or general fertilizer.

If your soil is particularly heavy or sandy, mulch lightly with well rotted manure or compost.  Avoid mulching on top of the crown or your plant may become too deeply buried. Mulch in a circle about 15-20cms (6-9ins) around the peony.

If your soil is acidic, an occasional top dressing with lime will prove beneficial.

Moving and Dividing

Although peonies seem to go on forever, they begin to lose vigour after 10 years and would benefit from being dug up and split. This is best done in the early autumn as the foliage dies down.

The crown should be carefully lifted and the soil washed away to expose the eyes. Using a heavy knife or even a small pruning saw, remove any large pieces of dead, woody root and then cut the crown into pieces each containing about 3-5 eyes. These can be replanted.

Pests and Diseases

Peonies are remarkably pest and disease tolerant. Generally, rabbits and deer will not touch them. Vigorous, well grown plants rarely need any treatment in the garden.

The most common problems are fungal diseases. Botrytis or Peony Wilt can cause stems to rot and collapse, usually just before or after flowering. Cladosporium can cause brown blotches which turn black on the leaves from July onwards.

Generally neither of these conditions will kill a peony. There are no longer any chemicals with label recommendations for the control of fungal diseases on peonies. Good hygiene and cultural practices are the key to preventing and dealing with any fungal attack. Maintain a good air flow around the peonies by not overcrowding them with other plants, particularly at ground level. If any stems collapse with Botrytis, or if any leaves become spotty, remove them immediately which will help prevent the spread of infection. In the autumn cut off all the foliage and dispose of to prevent reinfection the following spring.

Ants

As the flower buds develop they exude a sweet and sticky sugary substance which often runs down the stem. This is a magnet to ants which often can be seen crawling all over the plants. Don't worry. They don't damage your peony.

Growing Peonies in Pots

You can successfully grow and flower your peony in a pot or container provided a few simple rules are followed:-

Choose a pot at least 30cms (12ins) in diameter and with adequate drainage holes at the base. Use a soil based compost such as John Innes No 3 or our own Kelways peony compost. Peonies don't grow well in composts with high peat content. Don't allow the compost to fluctuate continually from being too wet or too dry.