Planting Roots in Fall

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Peonies need a spot with at least a half day of sun (full sun better)

Planting in fall gives feeder roots a chance to become established before spring bloom.

Well drained soil a must! If your soil is not great, add some potting soil or other additive and check the pH (home kits available) if the pH is not around 6, (don’t want higher), add some garden dolimite or lime. Peonies do not do well with “wet feet” (sitting in wet area all winter). Once you have chosen this spot (give it room) work your soil well, (15×15 spot), make a little mound so the “eyes” of the root are at the top, cover with only 2 inches of soil. (Be sure not to add bark to bury those eyes deeper than that 2″)

Water your newly planted root thoroughly when planting, then let soil almost dry out between waterings. Continue every week or two until fall rains. Do not fertilize when planting.

SPRING: Time to fertilize (except first spring after planting) (1/8 c 16-16-16 or whatever you prefer, some recommend 10-20-20 but it seems hard to find), around the drip line (not in the crown!). Daffodil and tulip fertilizers are also a choice. The fertilizer needs to have a low nitrogen content or slow release nitrogen, otherwise you will get lots of healthy bush but not much for flowers. After bloom, remove dead flowers.

SUMMER: Water your first year peonies deeply every couple weeks during dry weather, allowing it to completely dry out between waterings. Once your peony is 3 years old it is quite drought tolerant. (They still appreciate a good watering every several weeks in hot summers).

FALL: Fertilize again using daffodil and tulip fertilizers. Cut your stems to the ground and dispose of the foliage.

WINTER: Don’t worry about the freezing weather, peonies need the cold of winter!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Just a note to keep in mind after watching your peony bloom a few years: If your variety produces more than one flower per stem, you will see tiny buds pop up alongside the larger main bud on each stem in early spring. If you want to concentrate on only one larger flower per stem, you can pinch off these tiny buds when they are the size of a pea or smaller (not the main bud!) and you will get a single, larger flower per stem. Some varieties do not have these, some have a few which may be nice if you want more than one flower per stem, and some have a lot.

First spring: You may get a couple of blooms, or maybe none, don’t worry. It is recommended you leave the leaves on the plant this first year so if you can refrain from picking long stems, do so.

Second spring: You should be seeing many more blooms!

Third spring: Lots of blooms! The majority of our peonies were planted in the fall of 2019 here at PeoniesatGlencoeFarms