Peony flowers, with their large, vibrant blooms and lush foliage, are sure to be a bright spot in any landscaping plan. These perennials are quite easy to grow and require little maintenance once they have become firmly established in your garden. Grown from tuberous roots and best planted in the fall, peonies can be left in the ground year round, unlike many bulbs that must be removed from the garden and held indoors for the winter. Clumps of peony flowers, once planted, have been known to come up faithfully in the spring and bloom prolifically every year in the early summer for more than a century with very little care.
Instructions
1. Finding the right spot to plant is the first step in growing peony flowers and should be carefully considered, as peonies do not transplant well. Planting too close to shrubs, trees, or other plants is not advisable, as peonies need plenty of room for their rather extensive system of roots. To grow the most spectacular peony flowers, choose a spot that has rich soil, good drainage, and is exposed to full sun for at least six hours a day.
2. Preparing the soil is the next step, which begins with loosening the soil to a depth of at least a foot. Then, work thoroughly rotted compost into the soil and dig a hole large enough to accommodate the substantial size of the peony root, about eight inches wide and twelve inches deep.
3. Plant your peony root with the buds or eyes facing upwards. Cover the root with soil, making sure that the buds are submerged no deeper than two inches. Tamp the soil lightly and water until the soil is thoroughly soaked. Newly planted peony tubers may benefit from a protective layer of mulch over that first winter season.
4. Establishing a lush, healthy peony clump takes time. Blooming may be sparse in the first year, and stems may be short. However, the second year should yield a much stronger show and the third year will likely bring robust flowers and rich, bushy foliage. Fertilizing your peony flowers every second year will help to ensure that they will grow and flourish for many years to come.
