Peony FAQ's
Frequently asked questions for our peony roots
Which way up do I plant my peony bare roots?
Your Peony bare root plant will be supplied as a thick piece of root which should be planted no deeper than 5cm below the soil surface. Peony bare roots should be planted horizontally, or angled slightly so that the buds are level with the soil surfa
When should I plant Peonies?
Peonies can be planted in autumn or the spring. They must be planted in the same season that they are received, ideally within 1-2 weeks of delivery. Delaying planting can cause the root to deteriorate or lose viability.
Will my peony flower in the first year?
Peonies usually take a full growing season to settle into their new positions. In their first year they should produce foliage but may not flower until the following year.
Can I plant my peony bare root straight into my border?
Peonies can be planted directly into borders. Choose a sunny spot on fertile, well drained soil. Plant them shallowly and horizontally no more than 5cm below ground level with the majority of buds or ‘eyes’ facing upwards.
Do Peonies grow on clay soil?
Peonies don't mind a clay soil providing it doesn't become waterlogged in winter. If you have clay soil, you should ensure the soil drains adequately prior to planting. You can add a generous amount of compost when planting and continue to improve th
Will my Peony grow in a pot?
Peonies can be grown in pots. One peony will eventually need a pot which is at least 40cm diameter which it can grow into until fully established. To start with, you can choose a pot that smaller and each year as the plant increases in size, you can
What month do Peonies flower?
Peonies typically flower around May-June. Flowering time can be later in areas with cold temperatures during spring, or earlier in warm environments. Their flowers typically last a few weeks.
Are Peonies better in pots or in the ground?
Peonies are happiest in the ground, in a border with good soil. They can grow well in pots for a while, but as they establish would prefer room to spread their roots and thrive as a mature plant. It is also worth noting that Peonies bloom for around
Do Peonies need winter protection?
Peonies are hardy to around -20C and will not require winter protection in most areas. They require a cold, damp season over winter while dormant and should not be moved indoors into warm conditions, or moved under cover into dry cool conditions duri
How often should Peonies be watered?
Once established, peonies only require watering during prolonged periods of drought. They do not like to be in wet conditions all the time and if Peonies are over watered, the leaves can start to curl and stems can begin to rot. Newly-planted Peonies
Do Peonies grow back year after year?
Peonies are perennial and they will grow back every year if they are in suitable growing conditions. They establish over time, each year they will grow back larger and more prolific than the year before.
When is the best time to buy Peonies?
Peonies can be planted in autumn or in spring. They are available to order on our website between June and November for delivery during autumn, and between December and May for delivery during spring. Ordering early in time for the start of the plant
Should you cut Peonies back every year?
Peonies naturally die back in autumn, at this point the leaves will turn brown and you can cut the stems down 3-5cm above the ground. For ITOH peonies, you should cut the new, soft growth down to the woody stems in autumn.
Where shouldn’t you plant Peonies?
Peonies are generally unfussy, but will not tolerate boggy or waterlogged soils. You should also avoid planting them in a fully shaded position or very shallow soils.
Do you deadhead Peonies?
It is not essential to deadhead Peonies, doing so will not encourage a further flush of blooms. However you can deadhead Peonies if you wish to tidy the appearance of the plant after flowering.
Do Peonies take years to bloom?
Typically, Peonies take between 1-3 years to start flowering, depending on the growing conditions, planting time and planting depth. Providing the root is planted shallowly with the buds level with the soil surface, in good soil and a sunny position,
Can you keep Peonies blooming all summer?
Peonies only bloom once a year during late spring/early summer, unfortunately they can’t be encouraged to produce a second flush later in the season or flower repeatedly through summer.
Do Peonies multiply?
Peonies are clump-forming perennials, which means the root system grows to form a clump. As the clump grows, the spread of the plant will increase and it will produce more stems. When the clump grows very large (over 30cm in diameter), you can divide