From our perspective as peony plants, our survival and ability to bloom hinge entirely on the health of our crown. This crown is the crucial junction between our roots and our stems, the very heart from which all new growth emerges each spring. Unlike our roots, which are adapted to seek moisture and nutrients in the deeper soil, the crown tissue is not designed for prolonged burial. It requires consistent access to oxygen and must be able to respire. When planted too deeply, we are essentially suffocated. The heavy, waterlogged soil smothers the crown, creating an anaerobic environment that leads to rot. Without a healthy crown, we cannot send up the strong, nutrient-carrying stems necessary to support our lush foliage and those large, beautiful flowers you admire so much.
You plant us for our spectacular blooms, but a deep planting directly sabotages this goal. The process of generating a flower bud is an immense expenditure of energy for us. That energy is gathered by our leaves through photosynthesis and stored in our roots. In spring, that stored energy must travel from the roots, through the crown, and up the stems to fuel the emerging growth and flower buds. If the crown is buried too deeply, the energy must travel a much greater distance to reach the surface. This exhausting journey often depletes the energy reserves before the bud can properly form and develop. The result is that we may produce lush, healthy-looking foliage—as we are still trying to photosynthesize—but we simply lack the strength to push out a flower. It is a deeply frustrating experience for a plant bred to bloom.
Our crown is our most vulnerable point. When situated at the correct depth (just 1-2 inches below the soil surface), it is in a zone where soil conditions are generally less conducive to the fungi that cause rot. When planted too deeply, we are placed in colder, wetter soil that stays moist for much longer periods. This environment is the perfect breeding ground for pathogens like Botrytis blight and other fungal diseases. The constantly damp conditions weaken the crown's natural defenses, allowing these organisms to invade. Once rot sets in at the crown, it quickly compromises our entire vascular system, blocking the flow of water and nutrients. This can lead to stunted growth, wilting, and ultimately, our death.
If you discover you have planted us too deeply, the remedy is to carefully relocate us. The ideal time for this surgery is in the autumn, when we have become dormant. You must gently dig us up, taking great care not to damage our thick, tuberous roots. Wash or gently brush off the soil to clearly see the structure of our crown. You will notice pinkish-red buds, called "eyes," emerging from the crown. These are the future stems. Replant us in a sunny location with well-draining soil, positioning the crown so that these eyes are no more than 2 inches below the final soil surface. This careful repositioning grants our crown the oxygen it desperately needs and places the emerging buds within easy reach of the spring sunshine, setting the stage for a return to vigorous growth and prolific blooming in the seasons to come.
