{"id":21757,"date":"2023-05-01T01:00:43","date_gmt":"2023-04-30T23:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=2539"},"modified":"2023-05-02T11:34:59","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T09:34:59","slug":"how-to-grow-peonies","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/how-to-grow-peonies\/","title":{"rendered":"How to grow peonies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Peonies offer voluptuous blooms to grace your garden from late spring until July. Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall and Claire Austin give tips on how to grow these alluring flowers <\/p>

By Klaudia Mihalova\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 01 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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A plant which heralds the coming of summer, peonies<\/a> are some of the most loved of garden flowers. From herbaceous to tree peony, here\u2019s our guide on how to care for and grow peonies, written by experts including Claire Austin<\/a> and Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall. Don\u2019t miss our piece on intersectional peonies.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

How to grow peonies<\/h2>\n
Soil<\/h3>\n
Peonies will grow in most soils<\/a> with adequate drainage, and like slightly alkaline conditions. In acid soil, add a handful of lime when planting. In light soil<\/a> add well-rotted organic matter to boost moisture retention. Organic matter will scorch the emerging peony buds in spring, so mulch as far away from the central crown as possible.<\/p>\n
Prepare the ground<\/h3>\n
Dig a hole 30cm deep. Mix well-rotted manure or compost and a handful of bone meal or general fertiliser. If planting a group of peonies, place about 75cm apart. Plant too deep and the peonies may fail to flower \u2013 the buds, which will form the shoots, should be no more than 2.5cm below the soil surface and the planting hole wide enough to accommodate the roots comfortably.<\/p>\n

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Aspect<\/h3>\n
In full sun peonies will flower and grow more prolifically but in light shade the flowers last longer and fade less. James Kelway thought single peonies did better in shade than double peonies.<\/p>\n
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On delivery<\/h3>\n
Most suppliers send out bare root peonies between October and March. Each peony root should have three or more buds. A white fungal bloom on peony roots is normal. Roots can be kept for a few weeks in a cold, dark place, in moist potting compost.<\/p>\n

Dividing peonies<\/h3>\n
Peonies do not mind being moved \u2013 especially if they are not divided. If you want to divide plants, do this when they are dormant, from late October to the end of January, and ensure that each division has at least three buds.<\/p>\n\n

Aspect<\/h3>\nIn full sun peonies will flower and grow more prolifically but in light shade the flowers last longer and fade less. James Kelway thought single peonies did better in shade than double peonies.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

On delivery<\/h3>\nMost suppliers send out bare root peonies between October and March. Each peony root should have three or more buds. A white fungal bloom on peony roots is normal. Roots can be kept for a few weeks in a cold, dark place, in moist potting compost.<\/p>\n

Dividing peonies<\/h3>\nPeonies do not mind being moved \u2013 especially if they are not divided. If you want to divide plants, do this when they are dormant, from late October to the end of January, and ensure that each division has at least three buds.<\/p>\n\n

On delivery<\/h3>\n
Most suppliers send out bare root peonies between October and March. Each peony root should have three or more buds. A white fungal bloom on peony roots is normal. Roots can be kept for a few weeks in a cold, dark place, in moist potting compost.<\/p>\n

Dividing peonies<\/h3>\n
Peonies do not mind being moved \u2013 especially if they are not divided. If you want to divide plants, do this when they are dormant, from late October to the end of January, and ensure that each division has at least three buds.<\/p>\n\n