Do Bare Root Peonies Need To Soak?

Bare root peonies are plants that are offered for sale with their roots exposed, rather than planted in a container with soil. This is a common way for many perennial plants to be sold. To plant bare root peonies, follow these steps:

1. Soak the roots for at least an hour to hydrate them.
2. Prepare the Root for Planting. Soak the root for 20-30 minutes in water to rehydrate the root, which loses some moisture during shipping. Dig a generous planting hole and set the peony at the appropriate depth. Backfill the hole and soak the root for about 30 minutes before planting.
3. Plant the peony roots correctly at a depth of about 2 inches below the soil surface, ensuring buds face upwards. Water thoroughly after planting and remember to soak the root for about 30 minutes before planting.
4. Grow peonies in borders or 12-14″ containers in full sun or partial shade. Plant the root around 5-10cm deep with any visible buds facing upwards.
5. Space the peony roots. In general, planting peonies before the first frost of fall is recommended. Don’t worry if the roots appear dry when they arrive. Bare-root peonies should be planted between autumn and early spring unless the ground is frozen or waterlogged. If not able to plant straight away, pot them on into a large container ready to transplant when conditions allow.

To plant bare root peonies correctly, first understand its anatomy. Soak the roots for at least an hour to hydrate them. Think carefully about where you want to grow your tree peonies. Keep the soil around them fairly moist to start with and then water every 3-5 days or so, depending on how fast the soil seems to be drying out.

Place the roots in a container with cold to luke warm water for about 30 minutes before planting.