The flowers of peony plants come in a wide range of colors, forms, and sizes, and these plants are known for being resilient and long-lived, with some living for up to 100 years. Peony bushes have been popular in gardens for many years.
BASICS
Zones:
Zones 2 to 8, depending on variety.
Types:
Please see the Types of Peonies link for a detailed comparison of the three types of peonies.
Height/Spread:
The different types of peonies can vary greatly in size. Tree peonies can grow to be 4 to 7 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide, while Itoh and herbaceous varieties are much smaller, only growing 1 to 3 feet tall and wide.
Sun or shade?
Tree peonies prefer full sun, but they can also tolerate light shade during midday heat.
When do peonies bloom?
The blooming season for flowers typically falls in the months of April, May, and June. Tree peonies are typically the first to bloom, around the time of Mother’s Day, followed by herbaceous varieties, around Memorial Day. Intersectionals bloom last of the three types, but the blooming season for all three types lasts for about seven weeks in total.
Flower colors:
There are varieties of rose that bloom in white, pink, red, coral, maroon, and yellow. Many of them change color as they open, so it is advisable to check on them daily to see the differences.
Fragrance:
The fragrance of peony flowers can vary, with some being sweet, some citrusy, and others slightly spicy.
Pests and diseases:
Japanese beetles can damage peony plants. They are also vulnerable to botrytis blight and powdery mildew. Keeping your plants well-ventilated can help deter these issues. You can learn more about potential problems in the Missouri Botanical Garden’s guide to peony problems.
Do deer eat peonies?
Fortunately, they are deer and rabbit resistant.
Peonies Care and Pruning
Watering
A peony will maintain its bloom if it is watered properly.
Water your peony plants generously immediately after planting to help the roots establish themselves. Peonies are drought tolerant, so once they are settled in, water them about once a week. Be careful not to over water, as this can lead to fungal growth.
If it has rained a lot during the week, you can skip watering that week. Proper watering habits can help your plant bloom and produce a good bloom.
Soil
Peonies prefer soil that is well-drained and slightly acidic. However, they can grow in a variety of different soils. Flower food can also help provide the peony with additional nutrients that your soil may or may not contain to ensure new buds and prettier blooms have a better chance of occurring.
Sunlight
Peonies generally need full sun, although they can also do well in partial sun.
Weather/Climate
Peonies prefer full sun, but can tolerate some shade. They do best in cooler temperatures, but can tolerate short periods of intense heat.
The plant does not like too much rain, but it does require a winter season. This encourages the plant to go dormant for the season.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary for peony bushes to thrive. It is only necessary if the bush is damaged or has a disease.
- Herbaceous peonies: At the end of the growing season, cut your herbaceous peonies all the way to the ground.
- Intersectional peonies: Cut back at the end of the growing season, leaving 4 to 6 inches of stem.
- Tree peonies: After five years, remove suckers from the center of the shrub to thin out growth and promote better air circulation—a dense snarl of branches can lead to doom. Do not cut back until they are well established—they are slow growing, so every inch is precious. Pruning during the first two to three years will hinder their progress and slight you on next year’s display. Take care not to cut the woody stems because they bloom on old wood.
How often should I water my peony?
PEONY BUSHES Peony bushes don’t require a lot of water. In fact, too much water can cause problems. Make sure your peony bush has good drainage and start watering in the spring if there hasn’t been any rain for more than two weeks. Water the bush deeply once a week during the dry summer months, giving it about an inch of water each time. Keep watering after the plant flowers to help it stay strong for next year. You don’t need to water the plant once it goes dormant.
How do you debud peonies?
If you want large flowers, remove the side-buds that develop near the base of each terminal bud. However, if you want to prolong the blooming season, leave the side-buds alone—they will bloom later than the terminal buds.
Can I divide my peony?
If you want more peonies, the best time to divide them is in the fall when the plant is close to going dormant. Cut the roots into 3-5 pieces, each with its own set of eyes, for the best chance of success.
Do peonies require complex staking?
Many varieties of peonies should be staked to support their heavy blooms, especially if you live in a rainy climate. Herbaceous varieties of peonies can be supported with a peony ring, while tree peonies are more suited for the use of bamboo stakes and natural twine. If this sounds like too much hassle, there are many varieties of peonies that feature strong stems that don’t require staking.
Should I mulch?
Modifying the amount of mulch or how close it is to the tree peony’s base can help the plant to survive winter in colder climates. It is especially important to do this in areas that experience cold winters.
Why didn’t my peony bloom?
Many gardeners have difficulty understanding why their peonies don’t bloom. Here are the most common reasons:
- They are planted too deeply
- There isn’t enough sunlight
- Your soil is heavy on nitrogen
- The plants are still young
Why are ants on my peonies?
The Peony buds attract ants with sweet nectar, but the ants don’t hurt the plant. If you want to take the Peony flowers inside, you can rinse the blossoms in a bucket of water to get rid of the ants.
Why are my peony leaves curling?
The leaves of a peony curling is a sign that the plant is stressed. This can be caused by a lack of water, a virus, or by experiencing unusual weather conditions. If the problem that is causing the leaves to curl is corrected, then many peonies will go back to blooming normally.
How to Plant Peonies
Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant peonies. They prefer cooler temperatures, and will do best if planted a month before the ground freezes.
If you plant peony plants in the fall, they will be more likely to bloom new flowers in the spring.
Plant in the Ground
Peonies can be planted in well-drained soil that receives the proper amount of sunlight to avoid moisture buildup.
Plant in Pots
Peonies can also be planted in pots, which makes them easier to move and allows you more control over the design of your landscape. The soil needs to be well-draining, so the pot needs to allow excess water to drain away from the roots. A potting mix soil will be useful for peonies when planting them in a pot.
Dig a hole for the root ball near the center of the pot, leaving enough room for roots to spread. Cover the roots with potting soil, compacting it around the roots. Water the peonies well.
Popular Types of Peonies
Herbaceous Peonies (Common Peonies)
Herbaceous peonies are the most popular type of peony. They are beautiful even when they are not blooming because of their full, lush foliage. The blooms come in many colors and styles, making them some of the most beautiful flowers.
You can often find herbaceous varieties in most gardening centers. These varieties are extremely popular and prefer to be planted late season, before the frost occurs. In addition, you should often cut back herbaceous varieties in the fall before the cold of winter sets in.
You can use the shredded bark as mulch for your peonies. Place the shredded bark around the flowers to keep the soil damp. Adding mulch to your garden can also make it look nicer.
Tree Peonies
Lend your garden some height with tree peonies, which grow to between 4 and 5 feet tall.
This type of peony would be a great addition to your plants if you want to diversify them. It has beautiful foliage, including green leaves that will remain lush long after bloom time has ended. This will provide pops of green throughout your other blooms.
Why You Should Add Peonies to Your Garden
Beautiful
If you plant different varieties of peonies near each other, you can create mixed borders with a variety of blooms in your garden.
You can cut flowers from peonies to put in a vase inside your home when they bloom. Peonies often come in a variety of beautiful colors and have vibrant blooms, so they make a great centerpiece for your kitchen.
Replace your old-fashioned kitchen flowers with white peonies for a more modern look. Peonies will provide an elegant touch without being overbearing.
Fragrance
The fragrance of peonies in bloom is wonderful. It is both fresh and sweet and will not overpower your senses. These flowers are often the inspiration for many different perfumes or body products.
Dividable
You can grow additional peonies within a different section of your garden by dividing them, which means you can have these flowers filling your garden in various areas.
Since peonies can be divided and still remain healthy, they make great gifts for garden-loving friends, especially if you have peonies in your own garden that are doing well. Many gardeners divide their peonies in the fall and then give the extras to friends and family members if they don’t have room for them in their own gardens.
Variety of Types Available
There are many pink peony varieties available. You can find a peony that will catch everyone’s eye as they enter your backyard.
A peony plant is popular for several reasons. You can choose from many types of peonies to create a desired look in your yard. The peony fragrance is also a pleasant bonus when you walk by the plants.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN TIPS
- Plant them in mixed borders for added substance and color
- Use as a low, informal hedge
- Plant alongside Shasta daisies, flax, and bearded iris
- Flank a walkway or steps with dwarf tree peonies or herbaceous peonies
- They also make excellent cut flowers
WEDDING & FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS
Peonies are a popular choice for cut flowers, often used in bridal bouquets, centerpieces, and everyday arrangements. The best time to buy cut peonies is April-June. Peonies can be combined with other flowers like roses, wildflowers, ferns, protea, and eucalyptus.
The Bouqs Co. delivers farm-fresh flowers nationwide and also has reasonable prices for wedding flower packages.
Conclusion
Peonies are lovely flowers that come in many different colors and varieties. They have a sweet fragrance and make beautiful gifts. You can plant them in the ground or in pots, and they will brighten up any garden with their vibrant colors and lush foliage. Peonies can also be divided and planted in other areas. So why not choose your favorite variety and add it to your garden today?
