Planting and care for peonies
The best time for planting is in autumn, but it may also be done in early spring as soon as the soil is workable. So, dig a hole large enough to place the roots and some organic material which you may have to add. Check whether the reddish gemmas on top of the roots, which are called eyes, are about 2 inches below the soil surface, but don’t plant your peonies too deeply, or either they may not bloom during the first year. After planting, water well and keep watering regularly until frost to make the roots well established in the spring.
Peonies require very little care. You need just to remove spent flowers to help the plant keep its energy.
To prevent scale, cut the leaves in the autumn. If winter temperatures will drop below -20F, add mulch over the crown. If you plant the peonies in warmer climates, you should remove any mulch applied in the spring and summer.
If your flowers have problems with blooming, it may be the result of: deep planting, your plant may be immature, inadequate sunlight or overcrowding, phosphorous or potassium deficiency, insect or disease problems, problems from roots or nearby plants.