Your dream peony plant awaits! Grow the peony garden of your dreams with this essential planting guide that covers every step of the process for gorgeous blooms.
The allure of peonies in full, glorious bloom is undeniable. Their lush, often fragrant flowers are a breathtaking sight in any garden as they symbolize romance and prosperity. If you’ve been dreaming of adding these low-maintenance perennials to your landscape, you’re in the right place. This essential guide will walk you through every step of how to plant peonies the right way, setting the stage for decades of stunning beauty.
While they may seem like an expert-level flower, successfully growing a thriving peony plant is achievable for anyone with a little bit of knowledge. The key to prolific blooms lies in planting them right from the start! Are you ready to get your bloom on? Let’s go!
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First Things First: Understanding Your Future Peony Plant
Before you even think about digging, let’s chat about what makes a peony plant so special. These resilient perennials can live for generations – literally becoming a legacy in your garden. I’ve grown peonies in my own garden for well over 20 years if that gives you any sort of reference. There are a few main types:
- Herbaceous Peonies: The most common type, these die back to the ground in winter and re-emerge in spring. Our guide will primarily focus on these beauties.
- Tree Peonies: These have woody stems that remain above ground year-round, developing into small shrubs.
- Itoh (Intersectional) Peony Plants: A hybrid between herbaceous and tree peonies, offering the best of both worlds with sturdy stems and large flowers.
For now, we’ll focus on the beloved herbaceous peony plant, as its planting has a few specific rules that are crucial for success.
Pre-Planting Preparation: Setting Your Peony Plant Up for Success
A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring your peony thrives.
Choosing the Right Peony Plant:
- Bare Root or Potted? You can purchase a peony plant as a dormant bare root (often in fall or early spring) or as a potted plant.
- Bare Roots: Look for firm, healthy roots with at least 3-5 prominent “eyes” (small reddish or pinkish buds on the root crown – these are next year’s stems!).
- Potted Peony Plants: Choose a plant that looks vigorous and healthy, with no signs of disease.
- Variety Matters: Consider bloom time (early, mid, late season), flower color, form (single, semi-double, double), and mature size to find the perfect peony plant for your vision. Since the flowers don’t last long, you may want to plant several varieties to get the longest bloom season. To read more about how to do this check out my post on getting your peonies to bloom longer here.
When to Plant Your Peony Plant: Timing is Key
- Fall is Ideal: Planting peonies in the fall (about 6 weeks before the ground freezes) is highly recommended. This allows the roots to establish over the cool, moist autumn months, giving them a head start for spring growth.
- Spring Planting: Of course, you can plant in early spring, as soon as the soil is workable. However, the peony plant may establish more slowly and might not bloom in its first year. I planted over 30 peonies in my gardens this spring and only one of them actually flowered.
Selecting the Perfect Location: Sun, Soil, and Space
This is where your peony plant will live for a very long time, as they resent being moved around. So choose wisely!
- Sunlight is Non-Negotiable: Peonies need full sun – at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Insufficient sunlight is a major reason for a lack of blooms. (In very hot Southern climates, a little afternoon shade can be tolerated).
- Well-Drained Soil is Crucial: Peony plants HATE wet feet! They require rich, fertile, and, most importantly, well-drained soil. If you have heavy clay, amend it generously with compost and other organic matter to improve drainage, or consider planting in a raised bed. If you want to learn how to make your own compost, check out my post here.
- Soil pH: A slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.5-7.0) is best for your peony plant.
- Give it Space: A mature peony can reach 3-4 feet in diameter. Space them at least 3 feet apart from other plants and structures to ensure good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases. If you have some space, a beautiful hedge of peonies is really eye-catching in spring!
- Avoid Competition: Don’t plant your peonies too close to large trees or shrubs that will compete for light, water, and nutrients.
Gather Your Supplies
- Your chosen peony plant (bare root or potted)
- Shovel and garden fork
- Good quality compost or well-rotted manure
- Watering can or hose
- Ruler or measuring tape (you’ll see why this is critical!)
The Planting Process: Where Your Peony Plant Dreams Take Root
This is the most important part of your journey to a dream peony plant. Follow these steps carefully!
1. Digging the Perfect Hole
- Dig a generous hole – at least 1.5 to 2 feet wide and 1.5 feet deep. Yes, it seems big for a small root, but this loosens the surrounding soil, making it easier for the roots of your peony plant to spread.
- Mix the soil you removed with a good amount of compost. This will provide nutrients and improve soil structure giving your peonies a strong start. Avoid putting fresh manure or high-nitrogen fertilizer directly in the planting hole, as this can burn the delicate roots.
2. The Golden Rule of Peony Planting: Getting the Depth Just Right!
If there’s one secret to unlocking a profusion of peony blooms, it’s this: plant your herbaceous peony plant at the correct depth. Planting it too deeply is the #1 reason for bloom failure!
The Problem with Deep Planting: The “eyes” (the small, reddish or pinkish buds on the root crown) are next year’s flower-bearing stems. If buried too far beneath the soil, these eyes don’t receive the right temperature cues (like winter chill and spring warmth) needed to initiate flower bud development. The plant also expends too much energy just pushing its foliage up through the extra soil, leaving little for producing flowers.
The Sweet Spot: The eyes on the crown of your herbaceous peony plant should be planted NO MORE than 1.5 to 2 inches (4-5 cm) below the final soil surface. Err on the side of planting a little too shallow rather than too deep. If this is your first time planting peonies, it’s a good idea to measure it out until you get a feel for how to plant them. At a minimum, visually look at what it should be on your measuring tape.
How to Measure
- Place the bare root into the hole. You can create a small mound of the amended soil in the center of the hole for the root crown to sit on.
- Lay a ruler, a straight stick, or your shovel handle across the top of the planting hole.
- The very top of the highest eyes on the peony plant root should be 1.5 to 2 inches below that straight edge. Adjust the soil level under the root as needed.
3. Positioning and Backfilling Your Peony Plant
- Once you’ve confirmed the depth, ensure the eyes are pointing upwards. Gently spread out any large roots.
- Carefully backfill the hole with the amended soil, working it gently around the roots to eliminate large air pockets.
- Lightly tamp the soil down, but do not compact it heavily.
4. Watering Your New Peony Plant After Planting
Water your newly planted peony plant thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and provide essential moisture. Don’t be lazy and skip this – your peony plant needs the hydration!
Post-Planting Care: Nurturing Your Growing Peony Plant
With the hard part done, a little consistent care will help your peony establish and flourish.
Watering
Water peonies deeply during its first growing season, especially during dry spells (aim for about an inch of water per week, including rainfall). Once established (after the first year or two), they are quite drought-tolerant but will appreciate a good soak during prolonged hot, dry periods, especially when setting buds and flowering.
Mulching
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like shredded bark, compost, or pine straw) around the base of the plant, but keep the mulch a few inches away from the stems. This helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Crucially, do not cover the crown or eyes of the peony plant with deep mulch.
Fertilizing (Less is More)
Peonies are not heavy feeders.
- Over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizers, can lead to lush foliage but few flowers.
- Some recommend a light application of a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) or a top-dressing of compost in early spring, just as new shoots emerge, is usually sufficient.
However, I recommend just drilling down on your soil quality instead. I don’t recommend adding bone meal because it attracts rodents who will feed on the roots. Really – soil is everything when it comes to peonies. Add compost, leaf mold and other organic matter to help improve it before and after planting peony flowers. I NEVER fertilize my peonies and get armloads of blooms every season.
Staking (For Some Varieties)
Many double-flowered peony plant varieties produce large, heavy blooms that can cause the stems to flop over, especially after rain. Consider using peony rings or other supports, installing them in early spring before the plant gets too large. These are the peony supports that I like to use.
Pest and Disease Notes
- Ants on Buds: Don’t panic if you see ants on your peony plant buds! They are attracted to the sweet nectar secreted by the buds and do no harm. They may even help the buds open and deter other pests.
- Botrytis Blight & Powdery Mildew: Good air circulation (from proper spacing) and fall cleanup are your best defenses. If you see signs of fungal issues (gray mold, wilting stems, or a white powdery coating on leaves), remove and dispose of affected parts (do not compost).
I’ve notice powdery mildew on my peonies at the end of every growing season. Which in my climate zone 6b, is due to the cooler evenings, warm days, and the fact that the plant is just done for the season. It’s not worth spraying it with any sort of pesticide. Instead, cut the plant back, remove all the debris and do not compost it. Your peony plant will be fine next year!
Essential Fall Cleanup
For herbaceous peony plants, after the foliage has been killed by a hard frost in the fall, cut all the stems down to about an inch or two from the ground. Remove all the dead foliage and debris from the area and dispose of it. This is vital to prevent overwintering fungal spores and pests.
It’s a good idea to add a layer of compost at the end of the growing season to your garden to help improve your soil and maintain the health of your peonies.
Patience is a Virtue: What to Expect from Your Peony Plant
- Year 1: Your newly planted peony will focus its energy on developing a strong root system. It might produce a few leaves and perhaps a small flower or two, or none at all. This is normal.
- Year 2-3: You should see more vigorous growth and more blooms as your peony plant becomes established.
- Year 4+: Get ready for the full glory! A mature, well-sited peony plant will reward you with an abundance of its dream-worthy flowers.
Remember, these incredible plants can live for 50, 70, or even 100 years. A little patience in the beginning leads to a lifetime of beauty.
Uh Oh! My Peony Plant Isn’t Blooming! (Troubleshooting)
If years go by and your peonies are not blooming, revisit these common culprits:
- Planted Too Deeply: This is the most common issue! (See “The Golden Rule” section above). If you suspect this, carefully lift and replant your peony plant in the fall at the correct depth.
- Too Much Shade: Are you sure it’s getting at least 6 hours of direct sun?
- Over-Fertilizing with Nitrogen: Too much nitrogen promotes leaves, not flowers.
- Plant is Too Young/Immature: Give it time, especially if it was a small root or recently transplanted.
- Competition: Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might be stealing nutrients and water.
- Late Frost: A late spring frost can sometimes damage developing flower buds.
- Botrytis Blight: This fungal disease can cause buds to turn black or fail to open. Ensure good air circulation and practice fall cleanup.
Final Thoughts About Planting Your Peonies Right
Planting peonies is an investment in future beauty. By following these essential steps, especially paying close attention to planting depth, you’re well on your way to making your peony dreams a stunning reality in your garden.
Happy Planting!
For more information about planting peonies, please read this article from the Penn State Cooperative Extension.
To drill down on more beginner gardening techniques and tips, please read these posts:
- Flower Gardening 101
- Growing a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners
- Container Garden Ideas for Beginners
- How to Start a Vegetable Garden
- Herb Gardening for Beginners
Thank you for visiting the blog today!
Enjoy your day! xo
Want to Read More About Peony Flowers?
- How to Grow Peonies: A Beginners Guide
- Peony Care: How to Keep the Blooms Upright (and Off the Ground)
- How to Make Your Peony Flowers Bloom Longer in Your Garden
