Peony Care
How to for Peonies
There are two classes of peonies, Paeonia lactiflora and Paeonia suffruticosa. Lactiflora are the herbaceous forms, this means they die back to the ground every year. Suffruticosa are the tree peonies, these, the main stem stays above ground in most areas without dieing back.
Peonies are long lived plants. Once planted they will live for years with no care required. Many peonies are the ones that have been passed down for hundreds of years. Grow them in full sun and a rich but well-drained soil. Make sure to improve the soil as much as possible. These plants will not be moved for years so the better the soil, the happier the plant.
Peonies should only be moved in fall (September) if possible. Dig carefully because the roots break easily. Water the roots well the day before to ease the digging, and it also helps hydrate the plant before moving. Cut the foliage back before replanting. Once the plant is moved water it well. Be sure not to plant the eyes of the plant to deep. If you do, your plant will grow and not flower. Plant them approximately 1/2 inch to an inch below the top of the soil. They can be picky so it may be a few years before you see a bloom.
I once read an article that said peonies were once believed to let out a high pitch scream when taken from the soil and this scream would kill you. So to get the roots out of the ground and survive, people would tie a dog to the plant, and cover their ears so that they would not die as the plant was ripped from the ground.
I have dug many a peony and I have survived, I haven't even heard a scream.
Tree peonies require almost the same conditions as regular peonies, they do prefer a more alkaline soil, and the roots should be planted deeper. This is because the graft of the tree peony needs to be protected in cold climates. Plant these at least 4 inches deep, deeper doesn't hurt these plants.
Follow these few tips and you should have peonies for many years to come.
