Peony

Herbaceous peonies prefer fertile, well-drained loam with a pH of 6.5-7.0. Add compost before planting and feed lightly in spring, then support heavy blooms with a ring installed before stems lengthen.

Sun

Full sun to part shade

Water

1 in/week

Spacing

36 in

First harvest

Perennial; blooms year 2–3

Tips

• Space plants about 36 inches apart and position bare-root eyes no more than 2 inches below the soil surface.
• Provide about 1 inch of water weekly during dry weather, watering deeply without saturating the crown.
• Apply a modest balanced fertilizer in spring, keeping it away from the crown and avoiding excess nitrogen.
• Watch for gray mold on buds and stems, and remove infected material promptly.
• Deadhead after flowering and cut herbaceous stems to ground level after fall frost, removing diseased debris.

Plant bare-root herbaceous peonies preferably in fall, with eyes no more than 2 inches below the soil surface; shallow planting is especially important in warm climates.