The appearance of peonies marks the transition from spring blooming perennials to those of early summer. The fragrant pink, white, and now yellow, blooms begin their show in early June and it continues into early July. The end of summer, however, is when peonies should be planted, divided or moved.
The timing is providential since it is easier to find the perfect spot for peonies in late summer when surrounding plants have grown to their full size. Even experienced gardeners underestimate how big plants will actually get when planting or dividing in spring when all there is to look at is little shoots or buds.
Before planting, dividing or moving peonies, take a walk around your yard to determine the best spot for them. They do best in full sun, but will do okay with light afternoon shade. They need a lot of space – they should be centered at least three feet in every direction from other plants. Peonies need a fertile, well-drained, but not dry, soil.
The thick, fleshy roots of peonies will have pointed pinkish new shoots, or eyes, on them in late summer. Dig a hole 8-10 inches deep and plant with the shoots no more than two inches below the soil surface. Water well and make sure that the roots haven’t sunk too deeply into the loose soil. If they have, lift them up and reset them at the correct depth. Planting too deeply is the most common reason for failure to bloom.
Peonies will grow well for many decades, but if blooms get sparse, the plants may need dividing or moving. Possibly the roots have become too crowded, or maybe the landscape has grown up around them and they are in too much shade. Lift the plants in late summer and cut the roots into sections with 4-5 eyes each. Replant as described above.
The first winter after planting, cover the area with a mulch such as pine boughs or straw to prevent frost heaving.
New plants may take several years to bloom, and after dividing or moving a plant, it may not bloom for a year or two. Be patient and you will eventually be rewarded with huge blooms.
The price of peonies ranges widely. Jung sells several varieties for $6.95 each. The most expensive peony Jung sells is a yellow one for $69.95.
When purchasing peonies, there are two variables to consider: appearance and fragrance. Peonies are grouped into categories called single, semi-double, and double. Single peonies have a ring of five or more petals around a central ring of stamens; semi-doubles have several rings of petals around the stamens; and doubles have many concentric rings of petals and no visible stamens. Looking at pictures of peonies is sufficient to determine which you prefer. As for fragrance, if the plant description doesn’t mention fragrance, you can assume that it really isn’t worth mentioning. If you’ve ever inhaled the sweet scent of a June peony, you probably won’t want to buy a plant whose description doesn’t mention fragrance.
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