How to Grow Herbaceous Peony (or Paeonia)

A herbaceous peony is a perennial plant that dies back to the ground each Winter and regrows from its roots every Spring.

PEONIES CAN MAKE GREAT
CUT FLOWERS

Peonies are a one time investment that will reward you for decades to come with armfuls of blooms. There is some patience involved…

Timings explained:

Peonies are hardy perennials that look after themselves – some might require support for heavy flowers but otherwise they are easy to grow.

It is very important that you are patient with your peonies – they do require at least 3 years to grow and establish before you cut any flowers from them

Your patience will be rewarded with consistent beautiful, blousy blooms every late Spring (May-June)

When you cut stems of peony flowers make sure you don’t take more than ⅔ of the overall plant – they need to gain strength for the following year from the remaining leaves during the Summer.

Planting peonies too deeply is the most common cause of no flowers. Plant the root just under the soil surface and if you mulch your soil every Autumn make sure you aren’t burying your peony deeper every time.

You can divide peony roots to make more plants – we did this after 5 years and our plants are thriving – they don’t mind being moved either!

How to Grow Guide

Herbaceous Peony Planting

1 Peonies often arrive as bare roots in the Autumn. Prepare the planting site by ensuring they will get full sun (at least 6 hours) and that the soil is well drained – not water logged with space to expand – the roots will multiply!

2 Plant the root just below the soil surface with the eyes (buds) just covered. If peonies are too deep this can stop them flowering. Water them in well after planting.

3 Keep the soil moist but not water logged, feed lightly in Spring with a balanced fertiliser if you want to but avoid over feeding. Cut the buds when they are soft and pillowy before they bloom fully open.

4 Do not cut more than ⅔ of the plant at any one time, the flowers will open when brought into a warm environment and can be prevented from opening by keeping cool. (Timing peonies just right is a florists nightmare!!)