How Long Can You Save Bare-Root Peony?
Peonies are perennial shrubs that produce large flowers in the spring. They come in both pots and as bare-root plants. A bare-root peony needs proper care and planting to avoid drying out the roots and killing the plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Best Practices
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Planting a bare-root peony as soon as possible ensures the roots remain moist and healthy. Fall is a better time than spring for planting bare-root plants, providing time for roots to establish before spring growth begins.
Delayed Planting
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A one-day period of soaking in water ensures optimal moisture, but provides you with only an additional 24 hours before planting. A longer-term solution involves planting roots in pots until conditions permit planting in the ground. Keep your potted peony in a cool area, but protect it from freezing. Keep soil moist, but not waterlogged. Some gardeners save roots by planting them all in a shallow trench covered with soil and mulch until an appropriate planting time, a process defined as "heeling in."
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Considerations
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If you plant bare-root peonies in the spring, they may not bloom for the next one to two growing seasons, according to North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Time your purchase or order to coincide with fall planting for best results.
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