How to Get Peony Flowers to Bloom

Peony flowers come in simple and frilled varieties.

Peonies are large, showy garden shrubs, with bright flowers in a range of colors and sizes. Peonies grow best in cooler areas of the country and tolerate some shade in the garden. They require some sun exposure for blooming, though, and need nutrition and water to produce flowers. If your peony isn't blooming as it should, amend its growing conditions to satisfy flowering and growing needs.

Things You'll Need

• Organic compost
• Hand fork
• Fertilizer
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Keep peonies in the right locations for flowering. Put the shrub in a north-facing location for a good winter chill, to encourage flower set. Give the peony at least six hours of sun every day, with bright morning light and some afternoon shade. Peonies tolerate shade, but can't bloom if they sit in full or deep shade.

2. Amend peony soil to give the bushes rich, loose and quick-draining soil. Turn 3 to 4 inches of organic compost into the top 3 to 4 inches of soil in a 2-foot circle around each plant. Repeat this amendment every spring to maintain soil quality for the peonies. The bushes cannot produce flowers without the right nutritional resources and in-soil drainage.

3. Give peonies 5-10-10 granular fertilizer only in early spring. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of fertilizer in a 2-foot circle around each bush. Mix the fertilizer into the soil and water the bush. Over fertilization, or incorrect fertilizer mix, results in lush vegetation and reduced blooming.

4. Water peonies with 2 to 3 inches of water every week to keep soil moist. Peonies bloom better with consistent, adequate moisture. Spread 2 inches of mulch over the soil in a 2-foot circle around each plant to keep soil moist and free of weeds.

References

• North Carolina State University; Peonies for the Home Landscape; Erv Evans
• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Peonies; Karen Russ; April 1999