From our perspective as peony plants, timing is everything. We have a distinct growth cycle that is tied to the seasons. During the summer, we focus our energy on flowering and foliage. As autumn approaches, our above-ground growth begins to die back, and we channel all our energy down into our storage organs – the roots. This period of dormancy is our time to rest and prepare for the next spring. Therefore, the absolute best time for you to plant us is in the fall, typically from late September to early November. This allows our roots to establish themselves in the still-warm soil without the pressure of supporting top growth. We can then wake up in the spring perfectly settled and ready to grow. While you might find us for sale in pots in the spring, planting at that time is more stressful for us, often resulting in weaker first-year growth.
To thrive and produce the magnificent blooms we are known for, we need a specific environment. First and foremost, we require ample sunlight. Please choose a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day. In warmer climates (USDA zones 7-8), a little afternoon shade can be beneficial to protect our flowers from scorching. The soil is equally critical. We demand well-drained soil above all else. Our roots are fleshy and will quickly rot if left sitting in water. If your garden has heavy clay soil, you must amend it generously with compost or well-rotted manure and consider planting us on a slight mound to improve drainage. We prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (around 6.5-7.0).
How you place us in the ground is a decision that will impact us for our entire lifespan, which can be over 50 years! Dig a generous hole, about 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep, to loosen the soil for our roots to expand easily. Now, here is the most important detail: our "eyes." These are the small, reddish buds on the root crown from which next year's stems will emerge. In most of the United States, these eyes must be planted no more than 2 inches below the soil surface. If you bury us too deep, we will struggle to bloom, putting all our energy into leaf growth instead. In the warmest zones (7-8), you can plant us even shallower, with the eyes just 1 inch below the surface. Ensure there is 3 to 4 feet of space between us and other plants, as we need good air circulation to stay healthy.
Once we are comfortably in the ground, water us deeply to settle the soil around our roots. After this initial watering, we will need consistent moisture throughout our first fall and the following growing season, but never soggy conditions. Please be patient with us. We are long-lived perennials that invest heavily in building a strong root system first. It is common for us not to bloom in our first spring, and that is perfectly normal. By the second or third year, you will be rewarded with our spectacular flowers. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage weak stems and leafy growth at the expense of flowers. A light application of a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer or a top-dressing of compost in the spring is all we need.
