How to Properly Stake Heavy Headed Peonies

A variety of options exist for staking peonies with large flowers.

Peonies reward gardeners with enormous, beautiful blooms throughout the spring. Unfortunately, enthusiastic breeders have created some peonies that are so heavy headed that they cannot hold their own flowers upright; these plants slowly nod under the weight of so many petals. Peonies are often beaten down by winds and rains, causing a lovely peony hedge to look dull and flat. As a counter measure, many gardeners choose to stake or cage their peonies to provide additional support.

Things You'll Need

• Peony cage
• 1-inch thick wooden stakes, 4
• Green spray paint
• Twine
• Plastic coated wire

Instructions

1. Support a peony with a peony cage after the plant is visible, but before it reaches 6 inches in height. Push the wire legs into the ground around the peony, being careful not to pierce the crown. Allow the peony to grow up through the hoop, tucking any stray branches inside as it grows.

2. Spray paint four, 1-inch thick wooden stakes, approximately the same height as the plant will be full grown, using green paint. Push the stakes 6 to 12 inches into the ground in a circle approximately 4 inches from the plant's crown.

3. Tie the peony's branches loosely to the stakes as they grow using twine or plastic coated wire. Loop an extra round of twine loosely around the entire plant about 1 foot above the ground to help discourage flopping.

Tips & Warnings

• Peony cages are not the same as tomato cages. Look for two-ring, heavy gauge cages with 18-inch rings at the top and 14-inch rings further down. These cages are approximately 30 inches tall. If you cannot find them locally, check your favorite gardening catalog.

• Pay attention to the places where your peony is tied. If the ties appear to be too tight, correct the problem immediately.

References

• Kansas State University: Peonies in the Garden
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Peonies
• Colorado State University Extension: Peony