PEONY Facts

COLORS

Pink, white, lavender, bicolors

LIGHT

Partial shade to full sun

SOIL

Rich, well drained

WATER

When soil becomes dry

pH

5.5 to 6.5

HARDINESS

Very cold hardy and tolerant of summer heat

TIP

Mulch over plants in winter with compost. Lift and divide plants every 3 to 5 years.

PEONIES

Lush, fragrant peony blossoms are some of the largest, most extravagant looking of all perennial flowers and surprisingly delicate looking considering the toughness of the plants that produce them. These tremendously cold hardy and dependable perennials thrive anywhere except very warm regions. Once established, a peony plant will live for decades. However, they need a long period of winter rest, and therefore are prone to fail where winter freezes are few and far between.

Peonies bloom in late spring or early summer. When the flowers fade, glossy green peony foliage persists until fall. Peonies grow slowly, but when planted in sunny, well-drained sites they can become very large plants up to three feet across. While peonies are young and small, many gardeners grow daffodils, crocus, or other spring-flowering bulbs between their peony plants. After a few years, when the peonies need more room, the bulbs can be dug and moved to a new site. Older plants bloom heavily provided they are fertilized properly.

While peonies are young and small, many gardeners grow daffodils, crocus, or other spring-flowering bulbs between their peony plants.

FERTILIZING PEONIES

Peonies need good drainage, so it is a good idea to amend planting holes with plenty of organic matter before setting out the dormant roots in early spring. Dig a planting hole 18 inches deep, working in organic matter and Vigoro® All Purpose Plant Food into the bottom 6 inches of soil.

If you plant dormant peonies, you will be handling a leafless, stemless crown with roots attached. Plant the peony quite near the surface so that the little potato-like eyes, or buds, are showing and the roots are carefully spread apart. To be sure that peonies bloom be careful not too plant too deep. It is tempting to cover the eyes, but crowns set too deep will not flower.

If you are planting a potted peony that has already grown, handle it as you would any other perennial transplant with soil attached to the roots, again being sure the crown is just barely below the soil surface. After planting, sprinkle a "booster feeding" around the crown and cover with a 1-inch layer of mulch.

Fertilize established plants by using Vigoro® Bloom Builder in the spring, just as the new buds pop through to the surface.

To be sure that peonies return, do not cut off too much foliage when you cut off a beautiful blossom to bring indoors. In fact, for the first two or three years, it is better not to cut any flowers at all. The leafy stems that bear flowers are also a source of new energy for the plants.

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