PEONIES
Peonies are the most romantic of all garden flowers. It's also wonderful as a cut flower. These long-lived and undemanding plants have gorgeous papery flowers that appear in May. Their foliage combines well with roses and other perennials.
TYPES OF PEONIESHerbaceous peonies — these are the peonies our grandmothers grew. They have tuberous roots and the clumps are usually 2-4' tall with deep, green divided leaves. During the growing season the heavy flowers may need staking. In the fall after leaves change color, carefully cut them off just below the soil surface. Get Planting
PLANTING & CAREIn our climate peonies are the happiest in full sun or part shade. Find a spot away from the competition of trees and other shrubs roots. If possible shelter it from strong winds. Dig a hole 2‘ wide and 18“ deep. Mix Cedar Grove Compost, dolomite lime and bone meal into the soil. Herbaceous peonies should be planted shallow with their eyes facing up and no deeper than 2". Fill in around the plant with the soil mixture and water well.
Peonies need regular water, even after blooming because they're working on next year's flowers. In our rainy climate, it's good to give them lots of air circulation and to clean up brown leaves, buds and spent flowers. In spring feed them with Osmocote 14-14-14, to give them a boost. They also benefit from little bone meal in the fall.
If you live in a particularly cold area, mulch with straw or conifer branches.
It may take peonies a couple of years to bloom depending on the age of the plant you buy. They're well worth the wait.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Your peony
- Compost
- Dolomite lime
- Bone meal
- Shovel
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