Chinese Peonies: How To Put Them In The Ground?

Chinese peonies are a popular plant in China, growing from the Gobi Desert to warm areas south of the Yangtze River. They prefer a location with full sun to partial shade and well-drained, organic matter soil. To plant them, choose a suitable location with red-eyes 1 inch below the surface and ensure the soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter.

Prepare the soil by preparing it before planting. Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough to accommodate the peony’s roots. The height of the plant should be 3-4 ft (1-1.2m) and the spread should be 3-5 ft (1-1.5m). Plant the sections into the ground with red-eyes 1 inch below the surface.

Seeding the peony involves cutting the stems of the plant a few inches above ground level, digging it up carefully, and dividing the root ball into sections with three to five growth eyes at the top of the section. Planting depth is crucial for the peony to bloom. Peonies must be planted exactly at the crown of the plant, where the stem meets the soil.

Fall planting is key as prolonged periods of cooler weather allow roots to begin to grow. Position each peony so grafted sections are well below the soil, with the woody tree-like stems remaining upright. Plant bare root peonies as the soil warms up. Feed plants with balanced fertiliser, mulch around the crown with compost, and stake the plant with stakes.

When planting, position herbaceous peony roots so that the eyes are exactly 1 inch below the soil surface. Deeper planting may reduce flowering. Don’t dig deep, as tuberous roots must not be planted more than about 2.5cm below the surface. Grafted tree peonies should be planted so that the graft is six inches below the surface of the soil, allowing the tree peony to grow its own roots.

Do peonies do better in pots or in the ground?

Peonies thrive in a variety of soil types, including well-drained clay soil. To ensure optimal growth and bloom, it is essential to provide at least a half day of sun and good drainage. Some gardeners are planting peonies in large patio pots or raised beds, but it is crucial to ensure adequate drainage and watering more frequently than ground planted peonies.

To prepare the planting site, dig a hole about 15 x 15 inches and fill it with spaded soil. Place the peony root downward at any angle, with the ‘eyes’ facing upward. Plant the roots near the surface of the ground with just one inch to two inches of soil on top of the ‘eyes’. Avoid planting the peony roots too deeply, as this can result in foliage growth without flowers.

Newly planted bare root peonies will establish feeder roots when planted in the Fall, and winter freezing temperatures will not affect roots planted in the ground. Potted peonies require a large container with adequate drainage, and the eyes should be covered with only one inch to two inches of soil. Water the potted peonies thoroughly upon planting or transplanting, watering them every couple of weeks during dry weather. Once the fall/winter rains arrive, you may not need to water your peonies until you have dry weather in the spring/summer.

Once a peony plant is several years old, it is fairly drought tolerant, but they do appreciate a good watering every few weeks in hot summers. An established peony plant does not need frequent watering. Fertilize your peony plants early in the spring using a slow release fertilizer, as other fertilizers will burn the foliage. If you are fertilizing potted peonies, use a slow release fertilizer, as other fertilizers will burn the foliage.

Deadhead flower/seed pods after bloom and trim your peony stems to shape the bush as desired. If you want to let seed pods mature, leave them on the stems until they crack open in late summer. Plant the seeds in the ground or potting flats and keep moist until the fall rains come. Some seeds will germinate the following spring, while others will sprout the second spring.

Cut peony stems to ground level in the late fall and remove the stems and leaves from the garden for good sanitation. Do not compost peony leaves and stems. Mulching is not required in the Northwest, but some gardeners in very cold winter climates mulch for the winter, but be sure to remove the mulch in the spring to avoid planting too deeply.

Do Chinese peonies need full sun?

To plant peonies in your garden, choose a location with good air circulation and full sun, protect them from strong winds, and plant them away from other trees and shrubs to avoid competition for food and water. Dig a 12-18 inch deep hole in the soil, loosen the soil on the sides, and space multiple peonies 3 to 4 feet apart for air flow. Add fertilizer to the hole before planting. Plant peonies with eyes up and roots down, not planting them below 2 feet below the soil’s surface, as planting below this may hinder their blooming.

What month is best to plant peonies?

Peonies are frost-resistant and can be planted in fall and spring, with late September and October being prime months. They come in bold colors like pink, red, orange, yellow, and white, and there is a special type called Command Performance peony that changes color as it blooms. The petals start deep red and transform to dark orange, peach, and cream, making them gorgeous and fragrant. To plant peonies, follow the expert guide and ensure they are well-watered and fertilized. The Command Performance peony also produces large, fragrant blooms.

How to get Chinese peony to bloom?

Peonies require 4-6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal blooming. It’s important to reevaluate the amount of light plants receive as it changes over time. Recently divided or transplanted peonies may not bloom well the following spring, taking up to 3 years for them to re-establish. When planting, position peony buds 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface, as too much depth can result in beautiful foliage but few flowers. It’s crucial to ensure the plants receive the correct amount of light and avoid planting them too deeply.

How long do Chinese peonies bloom?

Peonies bloom in late spring to early summer, starting in April and continuing through May and June. They have a short blooming period of 7-10 days, ranging from Very Early to Very Late season. To have continuous blooming peonies for up to 6 weeks, consider planting a variety of cultivars. The blooming date depends on the climatic area, with California or Florida peonies blooming earlier than those in Illinois or Ohio.

The blooming period is longer in cooler weather and is more profuse in hot and sunny weather. Peonies thrive in hardiness zones 3 to 8, and early to midseason varieties are best for warm spring or hot summer areas.

What is the best time to transplant peonies?

September is the optimal time to transplant established peonies. Cut the stems near ground level, dig around and under each plant, and retain as much root system as possible. Replant the peonies in a sunny, well-drained site. Divide large clumps into sections with at least three to five buds and a good root system. Peonies thrive in full sun and well-drained soils, so choose a location with six to eight hours of direct sun daily. Avoid shady areas near large trees and shrubs. Improve poorly drained soils by working in compost, peat moss, or leaf mold.

How do you transplant Chinese peonies?

Peonies are enduring perennials in gardens due to their durability and longevity. However, they can also be challenging to transplant due to their enduring nature. To successfully transplant a peony, it is essential to identify a new site, prepare the soil with good drainage, dig up the rootball, identify the eyes, divide or plant the peony, and plant it.

The ideal time to transplant peonies is in fall, with mid-August for Northern gardeners and early November for Southern gardeners. This is because peonies are preparing for dormancy, slowing their metabolism, allowing growth and development to stop. This helps save energy and minimizes stress to roots during the move.

If you are preparing for a move in spring, weigh the possibility of plant damage or death against your desire to take the plant with you. Severely stressed plants may not bloom again for several years and may be vulnerable to attack by fungal diseases or insect pests.

How many years does it take peonies to bloom?

Peonies may not fully bloom for 2-5 years, with doubles often blooming single for the first few years. In bad weather seasons, mature doubles may also appear single. After preparing soils and selecting varieties, it’s crucial to ensure the best peony blooms and production for the cut flower market. Root suppliers typically provide the actual variety, but there’s a risk of getting a ‘rogue’ root or root that isn’t true to the variety. Varieties with years of experience and different growing conditions, including insects, can lead to subtle differences in blooms.

For example, Sarah Bernhardt, bred in 1906, has subtle differences from multiple root growers. The latest plants have a lot of blush, which sells for more than straight Sarah Bernhardt, but it’s difficult to separate them during harvesting as they are mixed with regular Sarah’s along the rows.

Do peonies like sun or shade?

Peonies require 6-8 hours of sun daily, with some protection from hot afternoon sun in zones 8-9. They thrive in slightly moist, well-drained soil. There are four main types of peonies: woodland peonies, tree peonies, herbaceous peonies, and intersectional peonies. These beautiful perennials bloom around Memorial Day, with some blooms growing up to 9 inches. Peonies are deer- and rabbit-resistant, making them suitable for gardeners who struggle with animals munching on their plants. Growing peonies is easy, as they can bloom away in old cemeteries or abandoned farmsteads, having received little care for many years.

What is the best position to plant peony?

This plant is capable of thriving in a variety of light conditions, including full sun or partial shade. In addition to providing essential sunlight, these conditions also offer protection from hot, dry winds. The plant produces a profusion of flowers in the spring, displaying a multitude of stamens. To nourish the plant, it is recommended to utilize a controlled-release organic fertilizer that is specifically formulated for flowering plants during the late summer period.

How to plant a potted peony in the ground?

Before planting a peony, ensure it is watered thoroughly and dig a hole at least twice as deep and wide as the root ball or container. Make a mixture of 1 part soil, 1 part peat moss, and 1 part composted cow manure for use in the planting hole. A scoop of bonemeal and superphosphate can also help. Return some soil mixture to the hole so that the potted peony’s soil sits evenly with the ground level.

For potted peonies, carefully remove the root ball from the plastic pot, set the peony in the hole, and adjust the soil level. Backfill with the remaining soil mixture and water thoroughly, especially if planting bareroot stock. If necessary, add more soil mixture and water again.

After planting, spread ¼ cup Flower-Tone or similar fertilizer with a ratio of N-P-K, watering the surrounding soil deeply once a week through October. Spray general purpose fungicide 2 or 3 applications 10 days apart during high humidity conditions. Cutting center blooms will encourage side-buds to mature and bloom, extending the flowering period.

Keys to continued success include weeding and clearing debris in October, cutting yellowed stems to the ground level after a hard frost, mulching up to 6 inches over the plant after several frosts but before the ground freezes, removing the deep mulch by mid-April, and installing a peony hoop or growing grid 12-18 inches over the plant as it emerges.