How to Plant, Grow, Harvest, and Divide Peonies

Peonies are perennial garden classics, loved throughout the world for their extravagant, early summer blossoms. They are dependable, incredibly long-lived plants and will bloom for generations with little attention. As cut flowers, peonies have no rivals. Alone or in mixed bouquets, they have an elegant natural beauty and a delicate, unforgettable perfume. Peonies are carefree plants and very easy to grow. Here are a few tips to help you get the best results. Sun and Shade: Peonies are sun-lovers and perform best when they get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. The more sun they get, the better they'll bloom, so plant your peonies in the sunniest location possible. Zone: Peonies are winter hardy in zones 3-8. They grow and flower best in areas with cold winters. The plants may struggle in zone 8 and peonies are not recommended for zones 9 and warmer. Want to check your hardiness zone? You'll find the USDA Hardiness zone map here. Soil: Most plants, including peonies, grow best in loose, fertile, well-drained soil. You can improve the quality of your soil by adding compost and all purpose fertilizer at planting time. Avoid planting in areas where the soil is soggy or compacted. When to Plant: Bareroot peonies may be planted in spring or fall. The plants can tolerate frost, so may be put into the ground 2 to 3 weeks before your frost free date. Potted peonies may be planted at any time during the growing season. How to Plant Peonies Dig a 12" x 12" hole. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and add some compost and all-purpose granular fertilizer (follow package directions). Replace all of the soil and then dig a new 8” deep hole in the same place. Put the peony root in the hole so the eyes (the growing tips) are positioned no more than 1” below the soil line. When peonies are planted too deeply, the plants will grow but may refuse to bloom. Cover the root with soil and water as needed.