How To Grow and Care for Peonies

Types of peonies to grow

All peonies are characterised by their large aromatic flowers. They lose their leaves in the winter, but are hardy to frosty weather, so will reappear in the spring.

There are three types of peonies:

• Herbaceous peonies
• Woody (tree) peonies
• Intersectional (hybrid / ‘Itoh’) peonies

Herbaceous peonies can be as small as 25cm (1') and up to 1m (3') tall. These bushy types lose all above-ground growth in the winter. Some delightful cultivars which we like:

• Paeonia ‘Coral Sunset’. Grows to 70cm (2') high, with fragrant peach coloured flowers.
• Paeonia lactiflora ‘Angel Cheeks’. Reaches 70cm (2'), with pink double flowers.
• Paeonia lactiflora 'Red Charm’. Growing to 90cm (3') tall with deep red flowers.
• Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’. Will grow to 1m (3') high, producing aromatic pale pink flowers.

Tree peonies can also be small at just 25cm (1') tall, but typically grow much taller, and as high as 3.5m (11'). These types lose their leaves in the winter, but not their woody stems. We recommend:

• Paeonia ‘Souvenir De Maxime Cornu’. A small tree peony, growing to 1.2m (4') tall and producing yellow-orange flowers.
• Paeonia suffruticosa 'Lu Mu Ying Yu’. Growing to 1.5m (5') high, with unusual cream and lime green flowers.
• Paeonia suffruticosa 'Luoyang Hong’. Up to 1.5m (5') tall with deep pink flowers.

Intersectional peonies are a cross between herbaceous and tree types. Some impressive cultivars to choose from include:

• Paeonia 'First Arrival’. Can reach a height of 75cm (3'), with dark pink flowers.
• Paeonia 'Garden Treasure’. Will grow to 90cm (3') high, with scented yellow flowers.
• Paeonia 'Callies Memory’. Growing to 80cm (3') tall, with apricot coloured flowers.

Although there are only about 30 recognised species of peony, there are many cultivars to choose from. As they are perennials and will bring colour to your garden for a long time, choose a type and colour which you will be happy with for many years to come.

What you’ll need to grow peonies

Give peonies a strong start and they will reward that initial effort with a long lasting presence in the garden. They take time to establish, but once settled are low maintenance and will last for many years.

Peonies can be bought as ready-grown plants from garden centres, and a wider range from specialist growers, many online. Many can be grown from commercially-produced seed, and tree peonies can also be propagated from existing plants by grafting, layering or taking cuttings.

All types of peony can be propagated by dividing existing plants, which is easy, low cost and very satisfying. To propagate a peony by division, wait until the autumn. You will need:

• Gloves
• Secateurs
• Large fork
• Sharp knife

Always wear gloves when handling peonies, as they can cause a stomach upset if parts of the plant are ingested. To divide the plant:

1. Cut back any dead foliage using the secaterus and use the large fork to lift the roots from the ground.
2. Remove as much soil as possible from the roots.
3. Use the knife to slice the clump into two or more parts, making sure that each clump has at least three buds and plenty of roots.

To plant the divided clump or a purchased bare-root plant, you will need:

• Freshly divided plant, or a bare-root purchased plant
• Bucket of water
• Spade
• Large fork
• Well-rotted manure or compost

In spring (bare-root plant) or late autumn (divided clump):

1. For a bare-root purchased plant, unwrap the root from any packaging used to transport it. Place it in the bucket of water whilst you prepare the soil.
2. For bare-root and divided plants, use the spade to dig a hole twice as wide as the rootball, and just as deep.
3. Use the fork to loosen the soil in the bottom of the hole, and mix in plenty of manure or compost.
4. Place the root into the hole so that the budding stems are within 2cm (1”) of the soil surface. Any deeper and the plant will grow but may not flower.
5. Backfill the soil into the hole, and gently firm to ensure good contact between the root and surrounding soil.
6. Water in until established.

Where to plant and grow your peonies

Peonies need a well-drained position, and are fine with most soil types as long as it is not waterlogged. They are suited to neutral or slightly alkaline soils. They enjoy full sun, but can cope with a small amount of shade.

Peonies can be grown in containers, but look particularly spectacular in a border. Check the expected mature height of the peony, and position with taller plants behind and shorter plants in front. They spread widely into a bush shape, so provide plenty of space where they will not compete with other plants.

Getting the conditions and location right initially means that ongoing peony care is minimal.

Caring and nurturing for your peonies

The peony plant is quite easy to look after. Water container-grown peonies as needed, but only water border grown peonies in very dry periods.

Peonies are not particularly affected by varying weather conditions in the UK. They are hardy and will withstand very cold temperatures as low as -20°C (-68°F). The weight of the flowers mean that stalks can snap in strong winds, so prevent this by staking or using plant ring supports.

Tree peonies do not need to be pruned, and herbaceous peonies only need to be cut back annually, in the autumn, to ground level. Deadhead throughout the flowering period to maintain attractiveness.

Mulching will help to suppress weeds and help to maintain a rich soil, but make sure to leave 10cm (4") around the crown of the plant.

Feed with a well balanced fertiliser such as Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Continuous Release Plant Food in the spring.

Common pests and diseases with peonies

Very few pests and diseases affect peonies. Monitor for…

Botrytis cinerea

Look out for grey-brown marks on the plant and remove affected parts. Prevent by removing fallen foliage in late autumn.

Peony blotch

A non-serious fungus which causes unsightly grey spots on the leaves. Tolerate and remove any badly affected leaves.

Peony wilt

Also known as botrytis paeoniae, it causes irregular patches on stems, tissue and flowers, which later collapse. Remove any parts of the plant which show symptoms, and avoid by ensuring good air circulation.

Ants

Often seen as a problem, they will not harm peonies and should be tolerated. They will disappear once the flower starts to open out.

Key features of peonies