A Flower Blooming

How to Plant Peonies

It is very important that peony plants not be planted too deep. Peonies that are planted too deep will not bloom. Because peonies are slow to establish it will be several years before you realize that you planted your peonies too deep and you will have lost several growing seasons. For great peony flower blooms follow these steps:

1) First select a sunny location (at least 8 hours per day of sunlight) with well drained soil and then dig a hole about 8 - 10 inches deep.

2) Amend the soil if needed. Peonies will grow in average to poor soil but it is good to amend the soil with compost or topsoil if you have poor soil.

3) Place the peony root in the hole with the eyes facing up (the eyes are little white points on the root).

4) Hold the peony root upright with one hand while using your other hand to fill in the hole with soil.

5) Cover the peony plant with exactly 1 inch of dirt over the eyes. If the peony is planted deeper than this it will not bloom.

The proper time for planting peonies is in the fall. Peonies can be planted as long as the ground has not frozen. In northern states September and October are perfect planting times. This will give the peonies time to establish their roots before the ground freezes for the winter. It is normal to have top growth while they are getting established. This is nothing to worry about.

Paula L is an avid gardener and has been growing peony flowers and plants since the early 1990s. She has built a successful business out of her gardening hobby and has overnight shipped beautiful fresh cut peony flowers for weddings in almost all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii.