How to Plant Peonies in Spring

Peonies are favorites of gardeners for their sweet fragrance and bright colors. New plants do best when they are planted in the fall. Peonies planted in the spring may take more time to get established. Without the benefit of fall root growth, peonies are under stress and may not bloom until the following season. Some garden centers pot their peonies during the late fall months for sale in early spring. If this is the case, the peonies will have had a chance to put out feeder roots and will do better in the spring.

Things You'll Need

• Compost
• Shovel
• Water

Instructions

1. Choose a spot in your yard. Look for a well-drained area with at least six hours of direct sunlight. Peonies will tolerate light shade, especially in hotter climates.

2. Dig a small hole. The highest roots should be about 2 inches below the surface when planted. Too deep a hole will prevent the plant from flowering.

3. Use fertile soil to fill in the hole. If your soil needs to be amended, use compost or very well-rotted manure. Peonies need plenty of nutrients and grow best in well-fertilized soil.

4. Water the plants. Give the peonies a good first watering and water them again after 24 hours. After this time, however, keep in mind that standing water is the number one enemy of your plants. Peonies are highly susceptible to root rot, so keep the soil well-drained.

5. Watch your plants. In general, peonies need very little maintenance and can be left alone (except for occasional watering) if they seem to be flourishing. If your plants are floundering in the springtime, try adding compost to their soil as winter weather can remove nutrients.

Tips & Warnings

• Spread mulch around the roots of your peonies in the spring to help keep the soil consistently moist.

References

• Peony Nursery
• Garden Guides