All about peonies
In late spring or early summer, peonies please the gardeners with dark red shoots that bear little resemblance to the shrubs they will become. Flowers last only about a week, but you can see your garden in bloom for almost two weeks by selecting early, mid-season, and late varieties.
Peonies grow best in areas with long winter chilling.
If you want to have all-season color, plant peonies with spring flowering bulbs and with iris, daylilies, chrysanthemums, and hardy asters.
When buying saplings, look for roots with 3-4 eyes. Plants with only 1-2 eyes may need up to five years to produce flowers. And check carefully for soft spots or any signs of rot.
Peonies require little care if they are properly planted and located. They can stay in the same place for years, so choose the location heedfully.
Take into account the following advice when deciding where to plant.
- peonies need at least six hours of sun every day.
- they do best in rich soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
- plant peonies in a protected area to prevent ripping apart the blossoms during the strong winds.
- provide good drainage. If you have trouble with drainage, use a raised bed.
- allow plenty of room for the plant, as it will be almost as wide as it is tall
- don’t plant peonies near the roots of trees or large shrubs. Lack of moisture and nutrients will cause the peony to produce smaller flowers.