Could You Split These Peonies?

Itoh peonies, named after their original propagator Toichi Itoh, can be divided into two types: intersectional and tree peonies. Intersectional peonies can be cut apart at the most narrow connections between the roots, which have four parts: large tuberous roots, small fibrous roots, a connective crown, and eyes at the top of the crown. To propagate an intersectional peony, dig up the plant in the fall and carefully divide the root ball into two or more sections.

Itoh peonies are short in stature and form dense mounds, but they also have short, woody stems, like a tree peony. The flowers and leaves are in perfect proportion to one another. To maintain plant health, divide peony roots/tubers in autumn, cutting back it to about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm.) up from the soil level.

Propagation of Itoh peonies is best done in early fall, before new growth begins, or in late summer, as this allows the plant to establish roots. Crown division, the traditional method of propagating all but the woody peony types, works well with the Itoh Group sorts. To divide a tree or intersectional peony, dig it up, put it under a tarp the night before cutting, and replant it after division, with its eyes 2 to 3 inches up.

The best way to divide the root system is through asexual reproduction, which yields a duplicate of the mother plant. You can divide them anytime they are dormant, from November to March, but the best time is in early March, just as the thick, red shoots are growing. New intersectional peony plants should be planted 3 to 4 feet apart on center and approximately 1.5 feet from any edge or border.

Can I divide Itoh peonies?

Before making divides, look at intersectionals, or Itoh peonies, in the eyes. These peonies can be cut at the most narrow connections between larger pieces of root, each at least 6 inches long. Cut at a thin point between larger sections, like a ginger root in the kitchen. Remember that intersectionals send up new stems every spring, so leave at least three eyes on each division to ensure stems and flowers the following year.

What is the difference between an Itoh peony and a regular peony?

Both herbaceous and Itoh hybrid peonies are suitable for sunny garden beds or borders. They differ in stem sturdiness, bloom colors, and bloom times. Herbaceous peonies bloom earlier in the season, while Itoh hybrids bloom later and have longer bloom times. To maximize bloom time, plant both types. Herbaceous peonies are commonly seen in pink, red, white, yellow, and peach, while Itoh hybrids have a greater range of colors. Planting both types will provide colorful, fragrant blooms for weeks every spring for years to come.

When should peonies be divided?

Fall is the optimal time to divide and transplant peonies, as they can overtake an area or grow in too much shade. Plants transplanted in the fall have time to establish roots and produce spring blooms. Dig up a clump of roots, separate it from the main plant, and leave healthy stems and leaves attached. Cut divisions with at least three to five buds, called eyes, to grow into next year’s shoots. Plant the divisions approximately 1 inch deep to prevent them from blooming next year. Transplants take about three years to display full blooms.

Do Itoh peonies need staking?

Paeonia ‘Cora Louise’ (Itoh Peony) is a popular perennial plant known for its beautiful flowers, fragrance, and bold foliage. It can grow for generations and is deer-proof, making it one of nature’s loveliest perennials. However, the large peony flowers can overheat stems, causing them to arch towards the ground and even break. Single or Anemone flowering peonies, with smaller flowers, are less prone to bowing and ‘kissing the ground’, but still need support to withstand the worst storms.

Peony rings are not a guarantee that hard rain won’t shatter the flowers, and they may make them appear in prison. Staking each stem may be the only way to keep the blooms upright above the foliage, but many gardeners are unwilling to devote that level of care.

Do Itoh peonies multiply?

The traditional method of propagating all but the woody peony types, known as crown division, is effective with the Itoh Group sorts. During a propagation cycle of 3 to 4 years, the underground stem extends with tuberous growth and swells with food storage similar to the Lactiflora parent type. Tuberous food storage roots extend outward and downward but have a hard core, like tree peonies. After a three or four year cycle, well-grown plants will yield a comparable increase.

To support first-year growth, adjust the length of tuberous root on individual divisions to retain an approximately equal amount of food storage. When grown in raised rows, reset the stem buds so that they are deeper, to four or five inches below the top of the raised rows but not lower than the adjacent soil surface. This provides maximum flexibility of propagation choices, allowing gardeners to form stem buds at multiple levels: the original crown level, near or at the soil surface, and one, two or three internodes in between on the fully perennial portion of underground stems.

Some Itoh Group cultivars have proven successful in micro propagation, where a large number of plantlets can be produced in a comparatively short cycle. These plants can be grown on artificial media to establish upon transfer to soil, and those which survive the transfer can be cataloged for sale. Some micro propagated Itoh group peonies are now being offered for sale (inexpensively) in four inch pots. However, concerns about the root growth pattern of micro propagated peonies remain, as these plants’ roots grow in a tight whorl, which is not easily broken.

What is the rarest peony color?

The peonies in question are regarded as exclusive due to their scarcity in the natural environment.

Which is the best Itoh peony?

The Itoh peony, commonly known as ‘Bartzella’, is a popular landscape plant with its large yellow blooms. Other popular varieties include ‘Kopper Kettle’ and ‘Morning Lilac’. Itohs are prolific bloomers, blooming for up to three weeks, mostly mid-season or late season. After 2 to 4 years, they are interesting for their cut flowers. They form a bush of lovely green foliage all summer, and fall colors range from bronze to dark red. Itohs are also interesting for amateur gardeners and producers.

How do you propagate an Itoh peony?

The Itoh peony is a hybrid of common herbaceous peonies and tree peonies, known as the intersectional peony. It is hardy to various climates and has long-lasting blooms, strong stems, and lush, deeply lobed foliage. Itoh peonies come in vibrant colors like yellow, coral, pink, red, and white. However, they are slow-maturing plants, taking three or four years for seedlings to bloom. Potted nursery plants are usually at least two years old, and a healthy one-gallon specimen may provide blooms in its first year. Mail-order bare roots may have slow growth in the first year or two. Peonies are mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses due to the presence of paeonol in their leaves, roots, and stems.

Can I split Itoh peony?

Before making divides, look at intersectionals, or Itoh peonies, in the eyes. These peonies can be cut at the most narrow connections between larger pieces of root, each at least 6 inches long. Cut at a thin point between larger sections, like a ginger root in the kitchen. Remember that intersectionals send up new stems every spring, so leave at least three eyes on each division to ensure stems and flowers the following year.

Do you cut back Itoh peonies?

Itoh or intersectional peonies are hybrids created by crossing a tree peony and an herbaceous peony. These hybrids produce flowers and leaves similar to the tree peony parent but with growth habits mimicking the herbaceous parent. They prefer full sun but grow well in dappled sunlight. A mature intersectional peony produces 50 or more dinner-plate-sized flowers on strong short stems that do not require staking. They reach peak bloom near the end of the herbaceous peony bloom and can remain in bloom for 3-4 weeks, with new buds opening over this period.

They can be used as cut flowers and offer a wide array of colors not commonly available in herbaceous peonies. Intersectional peonies grow to approximately 2. 5 feet tall and are suitable for zones 3-9. They have large flowers, a unique yellow-bronze colorway, and are well-suited for front of the perennial border. They grow in zones 3-9 and require good drainage, rich soil, and neutral pH.

Do peonies multiply on their own?

1. Dig around the peony plant using a sharp spade, ensuring not to damage the roots. Rinse the roots with a hose to remove any dirt and identify the crown buds. Leave the roots in the shade to soften them and make cutting easier.

2. Cut the roots back to about 6 inches (15 cm.) from the crown, as the crown grows into the peony. Each piece should have at least one visible crown bud.

3. Continue dividing peonies until you have as many as possible from the original roots. Plant the pieces in a suitable location, ensuring the buds are not more than 2 inches (5 cm.) under the soil. Store the pieces in peat moss until ready to plant on a warmer day, but don’t store them too long to prevent drying out and preventing growth.

By following these steps, you can propagate peony plants quickly and create many plants in no time. Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter to receive a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”.