Care of Peonies: Peonies are long lived and low maintenance perennials.  Apply a light feeding of 5-10-10 bulb fertilizer in the early spring around the plant, but not on the crown area.  Cut foliage back in the fall after the first freeze, and destroy it to reduce the possibility of disease. In some years  a fungus called botrytis may affect your plants.  A treatment of copper sulfate or other approved fungicides will take care of this disease. Go to Seasonal Care of Peonies for complete instructions on winter, spring, summer, and fall care.

Planting Peonies: We recommend planting peonies in the cool months of fall. This will cause the least amount of stress to the plant because it gives them time to establish their root system before the freezing temperatures of winter, and the summer heat. Peonies should also be planted in an area that drains well, and receives six or more hours of sun per day. Plants should be planted at least three feet apart to provide good air circulation, and adequate space for their root system. Below is a step by step instruction for planting peonies from containers, and bare root.

Planting Peonies from Containers

1. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the pot and twice as deep. The hole should not be close to trees.

2. Work in plenty of well rotted manure or compost into the soil that was removed from the hole.

3. Cut off the foliage where the stem breaks through the ground. This only applies to fall planting.

4. Fill the bottom of the hole with soil and compost mix. Turn the container upside down and gently tap until the root ball comes loose. Place the root ball in the hole so that the top of the root ball is even with the surrounding soil. Fill 1/2 of the hole with soil and compost mix.

5. Water in the plant.

6. Finish filling the top 1/2 of the hole with soil that has no compost in it. Sprinkle compost around, but not on the root ball. Water the top of the soil well.

Planting Peonies from Bare Root

1. Dig hole twice the width of the root, and twice the depth. It should not be close to large trees.

2. Work in plenty of well rotted manure or compost into the soil that was removed from the hole.

3. Fill the bottom 1/2 of the hole with soil and compost mix.

4. Place the root into the hole with the eyes at the top. Locate the top eyes of the root 1" to 2" below the top of the hole. Cover the top 1/2 of the hole with soil that has not been mixed with compost or manure.

5. Water in root.

6. Finish covering the top 1/2 of the hole with soil that has not been mixed with compost or manure. Sprinkle compost mulch over the area where the peony was planted. Water the top of the soil well.