How to Grow and Care for Peonies

Peonies are the spring-blooming stars of your garden with large, showy blooms, heady aromas, and plenty of personality. By some estimates, there are as many as 33 species within the genus Paeonia, known collectively as peonies. Most are herbaceous perennials, though a few are woody shrubs. Peonies are medium-sized with tuberous thick storage roots and thin roots designed to absorb water and nutrients. It's critical to carefully handle the roots when planting, transplanting, or dividing peonies to propagate. Peonies contain the compound paeonol, which is mildly toxic to animals

Planting and Transplanting Peonies

Peonies are typically purchased as potted plants in ½- or 1-gallon containers at the nursery or as bare roots, often packaged with peat moss or wood shavings in plastic bags. The peonies offered at plant society sales or plant swaps are usually the tuberous bare root varieties.

When choosing potted peonies, look for healthy specimens without leaf spots or weak-looking stems. When planting from bare tuberous roots, ensure the root clump has at least three to five eyes. These eyes will eventually elongate and become the plant's stems. A mature peony should be at least three to four years old before it is divided into bare roots. Tuberous clumps with only one or two eyes may still grow, but they will take longer to become established blooming plants.

When to Plant

Bloom time for peonies varies from late spring to late summer, depending on the variety, but all types are best planted in the fall, about six weeks before the ground freezes. This gives the plant time to settle in and establish roots before winter. This is especially true when planting bare-root peonies or transplanting. Planting potted peonies in the fall also offers better results.

Selecting a Planting Site

Choose a location that is sheltered from strong winds. The large heavy blooms of this plant can cause the stems to flop over during heavy rain and inclement weather. Plant them well away from other trees and shrubs, since they don't like to compete for nutrients and water.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Give each peony plant enough space to grow to maturity without being