How to Grow and Care for Peonies to Ensure Beautiful Blooms Year After Year

Every flower is beautiful in its own right, but there's something especially alluring about the peony's voluminous, ruffled blooms. Produced in a rainbow of colors ranging from delicate pastel pink to creamy white to rich red, they're inherently romantic and a true hallmark of spring and summer. While learning how to grow and care for peonies requires some attention to detail, you'll be rewarded kindly. In fact, this perennial is known to produce increasingly gorgeous blossoms year after year.

Types of Peonies 

There are over 6,500 varieties of peonies. Of those varieties, each falls into one of three categories: 

• Herbaceous: This cold-hardy type of peony is the most common and grows on stems
• Tree: Tree peonies are stemmed shrubs 
• Itoh: These are a cross between herbaceous and tree peonies

How to Plant Peonies

Peonies are typically planted in early fall. If planted in the spring, they may not bloom until the following year or later. They should be planted in an area that gets at least six hours of full sun and has well-draining soil.

From Divisions

Peonies are often sold as divisions with three to four eyes. Make sure the divisions are free from rot when they are planted and trim away any soft spots with a sharp knife.

1. Dig a hole 12 to 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Space the holes 3 to 4 feet apart.
2. Add 10-10-10 fertilizer to the hole according to the packages instructions.
3. Fill the whole about half full of amended soil.
4. Place the root division with the eyes facing upward in the hole.
5. Backfill the hole, making sure the eyes are not more than 2 inches below the soil surface.
6. Water well.

From Containers

Planting mature peonies straight from the container is the simplest way to grow the perennial. "Peonies need a lot of space to grow, so if you're purchasing multiple plants, be sure you have enough room in your garden," says Rebecca Sears, gardening expert and chief marketing officer for Ferry-Morse. Once planted, it'll take about three years for an abundant show of flowers. 

1. Dig a hole large enough to fit the plant's roots. Space the holes 3 to 4 feet apart.
2. Gently remove the plant from its container.
3. Place the peony in the hole you dug.
4. Backfill the hole with soil, making sure the eyes are not more than 2 inches below the soil surface.
5. Water well.
   

Growing Peonies From Seed

Peonies can be grown from seed, but it's not the best method. "It can take anywhere from five to seven years for a peony to produce flowers from seed, so your best bet is to instead purchase a potted plant from a root propagation," says Bart Miller, a peony farmer based in Hyrum, Utah.

That said, if you already have peonies in your garden and want to try planting from seeds produced by your plant, you can do so. But keep in mind that unless the parent plant is an open-pollinated variety, the seeds won't grow true—meaning the resulting plants will likely look different than the parent, says Sears.

1. Start by collecting the seed pods in the late summer or early fall once they've browned and split open. 
2. Once collected, place the seeds in lukewarm water and discard any seeds that float, as these likely won't sprout.
3. Plant your seeds right away in an area that gets at least six hours of sun per day and has well-draining soil.
4. Water the seeds well after planting.

How to Transplant Peonies

Once settled, peonies don't take very kindly to transplanting. Doing so typically requires a long recovery process and can stall blooms for up to three years. In cases of poor transfer, it can cause severe damage and result in a lengthy recovery. 

"Peonies have deep and extensive root systems, and they establish strong connections with the soil over time," says Michael O'Brien, founder and owner of Hommes + Gardens. "Young peony plants may produce smaller flowers initially, but as they mature and develop a stronger root system, the blooms tend to increase in size and quality. By transplanting, you are interrupting this process." 

If you must transplant, he says to do so during fall or early spring following these steps.

1. Dig carefully around the plant, making sure to avoid damage to the root system.
2. Gently remove the peony from its current location.
3. Select a well-draining location with sunlight or partial shade. 
4. Dig a whole big enough to accomodate its roots.
5. Place the peony in the hole with buds facing upward.
6. Backfill with soil, making sure the eyes are not more than 2 inches below the soil surface.
7. Water thoroughly and apply organic mulch to retain moisture and deter weeds. 

How to Care for Peonies 

Peonies need adequate care in order for their beautiful blooms to flourish.

Light

Peonies need at least six hours of full sunlight to achieve an abundance of large, healthy flowers, says Sears. 

Soil

Well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is essential, along with a good, organic compost.

Water

Water peonies on a regular basis during their first fall and spring. Once established, water well when the soil is dry. Peonies don't need a lot of supplemental irrigation.

Temperature

Peonies like plenty of sun during their growing season and need a solid winter freeze to store energy in their roots to form the buds for the following spring. "Therefore, peonies are not a good prospect for warm zones like Southern California, Florida, and some southern states," Miller says.

Fertilizer

Once the plants have bloomed, apply a mix of compost and a bit of 10-10-10 fertilizer to the base of the plant every year, Sears says. 

How to Prune Peonies

Prune peonies in late fall or early spring by cutting them back to ground level before new growth emerges, says O'Brien. "While pruning, do a quick health check. If you see any dead or damaged stems, remove them at that time to maintain plant health," he says. During the growing season, deadhead spent blooms, leaving the foliage to allow the plant to store energy for next year's growth, says Miller.

Common Problems With Peonies

Once established, peonies are a hardy shrub that requires minimal maintenance. However, like other plants, they're susceptible to their own set of issues.

Leggy Stems 

If your peonies aren't getting enough sun, you'll notice that the plant is producing leggy stems and very few flowers. "You can dig up your plant and move it to a sunnier spot, but it will take a few seasons for it to start blooming again," says Sears. "Alternatively, you could also trim away any trees or shrubs that are giving your peonies extra shade." 

Crispy Leaves

Conversely, if you notice singed or burnt leaves, this is a sign your peonies are getting too much sun. They're particularly prone to this issue in the middle of summer when days are long and hot. Sears recommends adding structures or other plants around your peonies to provide them with extra shade, rather than moving them to a shadier spot. 

No Blooms

You may notice that your peony produce ample greenery, but that the blooms are lacking. While it does take anywhere from three to seven years for abundant blossoms, this could be a sign that your peonies were planted too deep into the soil. "Too much soil around the crown of the plant can prevent them from blooming," says Sears. "You will have to dig your peonies up and replant them to fix this, but they should start to bloom in the seasons to come." 

Powdery Mildew 

One common issue with peonies is powdery mildew, which can leave their leaves looking less than beautiful. "A simple solution is to ensure proper air circulation around the plants, avoid overhead watering, and to treat them with a neem oil or a homemade baking soda spray," O'Brien says. "With a little TLC, those peonies will be blooming splendidly in no time."

Season-by-Season Peony Care Chart

This handy season-by-season peony care chart will help you give these bushes the attention they require at any point in the year, says Kaylyn Hewitt, the lead floral designer at The Bouqs Company.