Top Tips for Growing Peonies in the South

We all have certain flowers that connect us to happy memories. Peonies do that for me, so naturally I wanted to grow them on the farm. In our hot and humid climate, I tried a couple of times with limited success. Perseverance pays off and we have 3-year-old plants on the verge of blooming for the first time!

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Here are a few tips for growing peonies here in the Midlands:

1.       Peonies are expensive to purchase but they will live a very long time. Many people have told me that they have dug up the plants from their grandparent’s house and moved them to their own yard.  For our climate, elect early season varieties. They need to bloom before the heat really sets in.

2.       Grow them in a raised bed or a pot. They need to be exposed to as much cold air as possible. Something above ground will stay cooler.

3.       Put them in full sun. They need sun to bloom well.

4.       They need a mixture of soil, minerals and compost. Mushroom compost is recommended since many other types of compost include pine bark and it carries something in it that makes peonies more vulnerable to disease.

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5.       Bare roots are the best value. Find the biggest ones with the most eyes.  Plant them so that the tops are just one inch below the surface. If they are planted too deeply, they won’t bloom since this insulates them from the cold. In colder climates, they are planted deeper.

6.       If you purchase bare roots, expect to wait three years for flowers. They will not have any blooms the first year. They need their energy to develop a good root system. The second year, they may have some blooms but it is recommended that you deadhead them so that they can continue to focus on their roots. The third year will bring on the flowers.

7.       There are potted plants available at some of the local nurseries. These are good too but the selection is more limited. Expect to have a transition year in your garden if you plant a potted plant. They may need a year to adjust and you may not have blooms the first year so don’t give up.

8.       Each year add a thin layer of compost and some minerals (I use Azomite) to nourish them. Don’t put down a thick layer because you don’t want to bury the tuber.

9.       After the bloom period, I put some shade over them so that the foliage stays healthy longer, providing more energy for next year.  Expect the foliage to look ratty after the heat sets in. Everyone’s plants look less than lovely.

10.   When you do cut the foliage back, don’t put it in your compost pile. Throw it away as it may carry disease.

What tips do you have on growing peonies? I would love to hear them!

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If you want to order from a specialty nursery, I highly recommend Peony’s Envy (https://peonysenvy.com). They are so helpful and they have a great deal of information on their website if you want more education on these beauties.

We will be including our peonies in our subscriptions while they last. We still have a few Spring to Summer spaces available. Sign up at www.purpletuteur.com/subscriptions.

Happy Gardening!