How to Grow Peonies
Peonies are beautiful flowers that are easy to grow. They come in a variety of colors and bloom in the spring. Here are some tips on how to grow peonies:
Where to Grow Peonies
Peonies need full sun and well-drained soil. They prefer a neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Avoid planting peonies in a waterlogged soil.
Planting Peonies
Bare-root peony plants should be planted as soon as they arrive. Peonies are best planted in autumn or spring. Ensure you don’t plant them too deeply, as this will yield poor results. Mix in plenty of well-rotted organic matter before planting. Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring.
Care of Peonies
Water peonies regularly, especially during the hot summer months. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Fertilize peonies in the spring.
Herbaceous peonies should be cut back hard in autumn to ground level. Tree peonies do not need pruning. All you need to do is remove the faded seed heads in autumn.
Common Problems
The most common problem with peonies is peony wilt. This is a fungus that causes the stems to rot. It’s best to avoid planting peonies too closely together. Remove any leaves with dark spots on them as this will help to reduce the spread of the fungus.
Great Peonies to Grow
Here are a few popular peony varieties:
- Paeonia lactiflora
Angel Cheeks - Paeonia
Bowl of Beauty - Paeonia
Sarah Bernhardt - Paeonia
Mrs William Kelway - Paeonia
Souvenir de Maxine Cornu
By following these tips, you can grow beautiful peonies in your garden.
