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How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Peony Flowers
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Hi, last spring our home had burnt down and we had to dig up our peonies so we can replant them. By the time I can plant them again it will be a whole year. My question is will they still be okay to since I've had them sitting in a pail
Hi Angella,
We’re so sorry to hear about your home. To answer your question, it depends. Typically, you want to replant your peonies as soon as possible after they are dug up. We realize that was not possible. If your plants were planted in a potting mix in the pail, there will be a better chance at survival once they are planted. If they still look viable, you should plant them in the spring just as new growth occurs. It may not bloom well next year because it will likely take some time for them to recover.
We have a guide to transplanting peonies that will give you some tips for when you decide to plant them. Good luck!
Can I grow peonies indoors?
Yes, you can, although they are best grown outdoors. Inside, you’ll need to provide enough light (about 6 to 8 hours); if you don’t have enough natural daylight, a grow light can help. It is also necessary to give them a period of cold (about 3 to 6 weeks, depending on variety, of temperatures between 32 and 40 degrees F) over winter, which is needed for flowering. If you live in a cold climate, this can sometimes be done by leaving the pot in a cool garage or shed, with top of the soil covered with straw to protect the roots once plants are dormant; remove the straw at the first sign of growth in spring.
Select a variety of peony that is shorter (not those that can grow to 4 to 6 feet, for example); if you live in a warm climate, choose a variety that does not need as long a period of cold (aka “chilling hours”) over winter. Plant in fall or spring. Choose a heavy pot (ideally, not terracotta) that is about 18 to 24 inches wide and deep, with drainage holes, and fill with rich, well-draining potting soil. Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy; when plants are established, you can let the soil dry out a tiny bit before watering deeply.
I have a tree peony that has been in the same spot for at least 30 years, and I'm wondering if it's possible to dig up a portion of the plant and transplant it. Does this work for a tree peony? It's different than the regular peonies.
Hi Diana,
Yes, you can divide your tree peony and fall (when it is dormant) is the best time to do it. But you only want to move forward with a tree peony division if it has more than 1 or 2 trunks or stems because there will not be much to divide if that is the case.
You will have to dig up the whole plant to divide it properly because just taking a section from where it is currently planted could end up injuring the roots of the entire plant. To divide it properly you need to see the whole root system.
To divide, dig around the plant’s drip line and gently loosen to avoid damaging the roots. Once removed from the ground, wash off the soil and cover the roots with a slightly damp burlap cloth for a couple hours to allow the roots to rest. Since most tree peonies are grafted, you will want to remove the original herbaceous graft root, which is dark and bulbous. Just be careful not to damage the lighter and longer roots of your peony.
Divide the roots carefully and make sure each division has a stem and a root to make it viable when replanted. You can try pulling them apart, but you may need to make a few cuts with a sharp knife or pruners. Remember to remove any dead or rotted roots.
You then want to plant your divisions as soon as possible.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
I have three peonese in a landscape segment that needs rework due to weed and grass invasion. I want to save the peonese but to work I will need to cut them back. I read above that they should be cut back to ground in the fall. If I were to cut them back sooner, say after they lost their blooms, would that harm them?
You can, but... it won't help the plant and will weaken them, so if they are weak, I'd wait. That said, if it's a smaller plant, try to dig out and move but leave about half of leaves if possible. That way it can still get e ergy while trying to recover from the move.
I've had success everything doing it that way. I feel for you though. The only place my grass is surviving this drout is in my flower beds.
Hi, This is great. Could you also explain when and how to cut blossoms to generally support the plant--and also possibly support more blooming? Thank you
Aren't you ignoring differences between herbaceous, tree and Itoh peonies?