Peony Growing Tips
Big, fluffy Peony flowers are well known and loved. These spring blooming perennials are incredible the garden and their flowers can be cut and kept in a vase for several weeks. In a landscape they can find a place either planted individually or in groups.
A big benefit in our area is that Peony plants are deer resistant. Also they are easy to care plants!
Sun & Soil
Peonies like a sunny, well-drained spot. They live a very long life so soil preparation is important. Dig a hole 12” deep and 2’ wide. Mix soil from the hole with a quality, organic soil amendment. Plant with the pot soil slightly above ground level.
- Plant in full sun.
- Don’t plant too deep or it won’t bloom.
- Plant where it’s sheltered from the wind.
Fertilizer
Peonies require little fertilizer. Use something like a rose fertilizer or bone meal when the plants are emerging in the spring . Allow 3 years for maximum sized flowers and true flower color.
- Deadhead spent flowers.
- Use a low nitrogen fertilizer.
Problems
The most common peony problem is fungi disease like botrytis blight. To help prevent these problems, spray in the spring with a copper fungicide and cut away & dispose of foliage in the fall.
- Water the soil not the foliage.
- Ants are always attracted to peony blooms, but they are NOT harmful.
- Cut herbaceous varieties down to the ground in the fall.