Transplant peonies now, not in spring

Q. Can I still plant or transplant a peony this late into fall?

A. Our resident peony expert is Barb Delisio, experienced master gardener volunteer. Barb provides this advice:

September is the perfect month for transplanting peonies, but October works quite well in our area. Peonies are one of the few perennial flowers that survive better with September/October transplanting than waiting until spring. This is mostly because we wait too long into spring to do the transplanting. Thus, stick with fall.

Peonies can be left undisturbed in the garden for several years, anywhere from 3-10 or more, before they need to be divided. But if your peony has stopped flowering or has developed a dead spot in the center, it’s time to divide.

Make sure your new growing site has full sun with well-drained soil. More than 2 or 3 hours of shade or poor drainage can prevent peonies from blooming. Prepare your site by digging in some organic matter and adding a handful of garden fertilizer to the soil. First cut down the existing foliage. Carefully dig around the plant and under the crown, lifting the entire root ball. Try to avoid damaging the thick, fleshy roots and retain as much of the root system as possible. Gently shake the root ball to remove some of the soil.

With a sharp garden knife, divide the clump into sections, each with at least three to five eyes (the little red buds on the roots) and a good section of the root stem. New growth develops from the tuber’s buds/eyes. Divisions with three to five eyes will bloom sooner than those with fewer. You might consider dusting the cut surfaces with a fungicide to discourage infection and rot – but this is not required. Dig your hole so the entire new root ball lays flat in it. Don’t bend or force roots into a hole that is too small. Make sure the uppermost eye is no more than 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Planting the tubers too deep can prevent flowering. Add soil around the tuber to fill the hole and water. Water your newly transplanted peonies weekly to keep the soil moist. In the late fall, add 2-3 inches of organic mulch to prevent frost damage to the roots. Then be patient and wait for spring to see the beautiful flowers.

For more information on growing peonies, go to: http://go.osu.edu/peony.

Eric Barrett is OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County. Call the office hot line at 330-533-5538 from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Thursdays to submit your questions.