How to Plant a Herbaceous Peony
Peonies are sold as either bare roots or as container-grown plants. Bare-root peonies are planted in the fall, while container-grown peonies are planted in the spring. Both are usually able to withstand severe winters. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Bucket filled with water
- Shovel
- Organic matter
- Soil pH testing kit
- Lime
- Pruning shears
- Garden hose
Instructions
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1
Choose a spot well away from tree roots. Herbaceous peonies prefer full sun and rich, well-drained soil that is alkaline. They don't like standing water. They will tolerate a wide range of soil types, but do best if the soil is enriched with organic matter.
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2
Soak bare root peonies overnight in a bucket of water, but not for longer than 24 hours.
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3
Dig a hole twice as large as you need to accommodate the plant. If you are planting a container-grown plant, the depth should match the container. Mix some organic material (peat moss, leaf mold, manure or compost) into the soil that has been removed. The ration should be 50-50 organic matter to soil. Test the pH of the soil following the directions that come with the kit, and adjust the soil pH by adding the appropriate amount of lime.
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4
Set the plant in the hole. If you are planting a container-grown plant and the roots are a dense mass, score the root ball deeply in three places with the pruning shears. If you are dealing with a bare-root peony, locate the growing buds and place them facing up. Set them so the growing buds are 1 to 2 inches below the surface. It is important that the height is correct. Peonies that are planted too deeply will not flower. Prune any visibly damaged roots.
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5
Fill in around the roots with the mix. When you have filled in the hole halfway, fill the planting hole with water. As it drains, it will settle the planting mix around the roots. Continue filling in the hole and water it again.
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6
Check the moisture level of the soil for the next few weeks, and add water as needed. The soil should be moist but not wet. Once your herbaceous peony is established, it will be drought tolerant and watering shouldn't be necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
Be patient. Peonies generally take two or three years to flower well. They are heavy feeders. Top-dress you plants with compost or well-rotted manure.
