Every spring I can’t wait for my peony bushes to push their way out of the ground. For me, it’s like the official start of spring, and just like clockwork, I have blooms by Mother’s Day.
Peonies are known for their stunning blooms and fragrant aroma, making them a favorite among gardeners worldwide. And peonies are so easy to grow, I encourage everyone to add several in their garden. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, growing peonies can be a rewarding experience.
Selecting the Right Peony Varieties:
Before you start growing peonies, it’s essential to choose the right varieties for your garden. Peonies come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, so consider factors such as bloom time, flower type, and plant height when making your selection. Some popular peony varieties include:
- Herbaceous Peonies: These are the most common type of peonies, known for their large, fluffy blooms and wide range of colors. These are the type of peonies I grow. I have 4 plants that I divided from one original peony, and they are all pinkish white in color. My sister divided her red peony and now I have one plant with red blooms. Once it becomes large and around 4 years old, I will divide it and have even more.
2. Tree Peonies: Tree peonies feature woody stems and large, showy flowers that often resemble delicate watercolors.
3. Intersectional Peonies: Also known as Itoh peonies, these hybrids combine the best traits of herbaceous and tree peonies, producing sturdy plants with prolific blooms.
Preparing the Soil and Planting:
Peonies thrive in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Choose a sunny location in your garden with at least six hours of sunlight per day. Before planting, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage.
Space peony plants at least three feet apart to allow for adequate airflow.
Caring for Peonies:
Once planted, peonies require minimal maintenance to thrive. Here are some tips for caring for your peony plants throughout the growing season:
- Watering: Peonies prefer consistently moist soil, especially during their active growing period in spring and early summer. Water deeply once a week, ensuring the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before the peonies start to grow, and again in late spring after they finish blooming. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can encourage excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your peony plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate the roots from extreme temperatures.
- Support: As peonies grow, their heavy blooms may cause the stems to bend or break. Install peony rings or stakes early in the season to support the plants and prevent damage. I used wire that was fashioned into a circle and put it over the peonies when they first started to grow.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers promptly to encourage additional blooming and prevent seed production, which can divert energy away from the plant.
- Winter Care: In colder climates, protect peony plants from frost damage by applying a layer of mulch or straw around the base of the plants in late fall.
Harvesting and Enjoying Peony Blooms:
Depending on the variety, peonies typically bloom from late spring to early summer.When harvesting your peony blooms for bouquets or arrangements, cut the stems early in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Recut the stems at an angle and place them in a vase filled with water mixed with floral preservative.
Ants and Peony Plants:
Peony plants don’t need ants to bloom, but ants are attracted to the nectar produced by peony buds and are only around for a short time . I saw their arrival on my peony buds just yesterday when I was in my garden and know they are not harmful to the plant. They are harvesting the nectar on the flower buds and, as they are defending their food source they safeguard the peonies from harmful pests like aphids, thrips and other pests. They emit an odor to alert other ants of the food source and this odor deters other insects. Allow nature to provide organic pest control and don’t reach for any insecticide.
Spring is the perfect time to add a peony bush or maybe 3 or 4, to your garden. The best time to divide your peonies is in the fall after they are 3-4 years old.
Happy Gardening
Karen