Now is the time to plant and divide peonies

By Hugh Earnhart

OSU Extension master gardener volunteer

A late snowfall, parade, veterans, cemetery decorations and Memorial Day – what do they have in common?

The peonies are in bloom.

Popular in Victorian times and known as the Memorial Day flower, the showy peony has long been a favorite of gardeners. It is one of the hardiest and easiest to grow of any of the perennials. Once established, it will continue to flower year after year.

Indeed, some of the heirloom varieties are still blooming in gardens where they were planted more than five score ago.

In a small garden, peonies are often out of scale. The blooms are so large and the plants require so much room that they are overpowering.

However, in the right spot, where quantity of bloom, mass and color is needed, the peony is your flower.

With the election of early, midseason and late-blooming varieties, some six weeks of blooms may be enjoyed each year.

In wet years, a small cage to support the large flowers can be a great tool.

Planting

Peonies should be planted in the fall. You can still divide peonies and transplant them to other areas of your garden or share with friends. Depth of planting is of the utmost importance with peonies. The bare root should be placed in a hole so that the tip of the bud will be 2 inches below the surface of the soil. Three feet apart in full sun with good soil is the key to success.

Soil

Peonies thrive fairly well in almost any soil in zones 3-8. Zones 9-I0 don’t receive the winter chill that is necessary for blooming. The soil should drain well and be as close to neutral as possible. They don’t like acidic soil. Prepare the soil deep with well-rotted manure and compost.

Fertilization

Although peonies will survive in normal soil and with some neglect, they respond much better with care and food. Two applications of 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 fertilizer are recommended. Apply the first feeding in spring when the new shoots are about 12 inches high and the second feeding after blooming is over. About a quarter cup is sufficient, each time working the food into the soil.

Good Husbandry

Peonies don’t like to be moved about. Staking will be necessary for some varieties because of weak stems. Deadhead spent blooms to conserve the plant’s vigor. In the fall, cut foliage to just below the ground. With this year’s moisture issues, there’s lots of disease. Cutting stems below ground will reduce infection next year. Ants are troublesome on some varieties, but they are only sipping a quick lunch. Deer will eat peonies when desperate for a meal.