How to Grow Peonies
Growing Peonies to Welcome Summer
Peonies are one of our most beautiful and cherished garden plants. Their huge luscious blooms—typically in shades of red, pink, white, and even sometimes yellow— are a triumph in early summer gardens.
Peonies are long-time garden favorites, and over the years, plant breeders have produced a staggering array of cultivars. Many have mesmerizing scents. Single peonies are simple and sophistocated. Semi-double peonies have beautiful layered petals, without hiding the colorful stames inside. Double peonies are packed with lush petals - some can have more than 100 petals on each bloom! Fancy Japanese Syyle or Anemone peonies have a combination of broad outer petals around a mass of thin petaloids.
And best of all, given fertile soil, good air circulation, and adequate sunlight, peonies are both easy to grow and extremely long-lived.
This photo shows a mature collection of double peonies in white, pink, deep fuscia, and red. Shop our double peony varieties and double peony collections!
When & Where to Plant Peonies
Light: Herbaceous perennial peonies should be located where they will receive at least 6 hours of sun a day. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) and Itoh hybrid peonies will do best in full sun, but they can also take partial shade.
Soil: Choose a location where the soil will be consistently moist throughout the season, but which does not get waterlogged. Peonies are long-living, however, once planted, they prefer not being moved. So, before you plant, take time to prepare the soil. Dig out any existing weeds and their roots, and turn in aged compost or leaf mold throughout the top six inches of the planting area.
Spacing: Space your new peony roots a minimum of 3 feet apart. Peonies will grow into strong, full plants. Eventually most peonies will grow to three to four feet in diameter, so be sure to choose a spot where each plant will have plent of room to mature and grow to full size.
- If you live in a cold climate, position the ‘eyes’ between one and two inches below the surface of the soil and the rest of the root angled slightly downwards into the amended soil.
- If you live in a warmer climate the ‘eyes’ should be an inch or even less below the surface of the soil, allowing them to maximize their exposure to cold winter temps.
Identify the pink, fleshy buds, or 'eyes' on your peony bare roots before planting.
With the 'eyes facing the sky', plant your peonies 1-2" below the surface of the soil.
This Itoh Peony has sprouted growth from its 'eyes', which are no longer dormant.
The developed 'eyes' of this Itoh Peony are left exposed, above the soil line.
How to Grow Peonies Throughout the Season
Growth Habit: While the height varies with each variety, most peony flowers are around 36 inches high, and the foliage is around 30 inches high.
Staking: Most peonies have lush, heavy flowers, so they will benefit from staking to prevent their stalks from breaking under the weight of the heavy flowers.
- Metal ‘peony rings’ offer an adjustable height. In early spring, position one ring over each plant so that the foliage and flower stalks will grow up through the supports. Adjust the height as the plant grows so that the flower stalks are supported.
- You can also make your own support system, using garden twine and metal or bamboo stakes. First, firmly position the stakes in the ground outside emerging peony stalks. Next, run the twine around the stakes to create a circle. Then, run the twine diagonally across the circle of stakes to create a grid, which will support the stems as they grow.
Watering: Unless you live in a very dry climate or are going through a dry spell, your peonies should not require regular watering once they are established. For peonies that are recently transplanted, be sure to water occasionally to help support their growing root system. Light, frequent watering at first will help budding roots, and after a few weeks, deeper and less frequent watering will help roots to reach deep for water.
Fertilizing: The occasional light application of a slow-release organic fertilizer will keep you peonies vigorous for many years to come. Sprinkle a little organic fertilizer around the root zone in spring.
Mulching: When planting, mulch the whole area lightly, with no more than an inch of mulch covering the eyes. Avoid planting your peony roots too deeply, or flowering will be restricted. For established peonies, use a light layer of bark mulch over the outer root zone.
Trimming & Pruning: Remove all spent flower heads. If any stems turn black during the summer this can be a sign of fungal disease. Cut off the diseased portions and dispose of separately—do not add to your compost pile.
How to Care for Peonies at the End of the Season
Overwintering: Sprinkle about an inch of chopped leaves over the roots as a winter mulch.
Dividing & Transplanting: Mature peonies prefer not to be relocated. Unless you need to thin them out, you do not need to lift and divide your peonies. If necessary, peonies can be divided in early fall and replanted according to the guidelines above.
Pests & Disease: Various fungal blights, especially Botrytis, can potentially attack peony plants. To avoid fungal diseases, plant your herbaceous peonies in full sun where there is good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. To avoid spreading fungal diseases, do not dispose of spent peony leaves into your compost bin.
Learn More
With so many gorgeous peony varieties available, how will you know which is right for your garden? We'll help you choose the best peony for your garden, so you can enjoy your long-living peonies for years to come.
With their gorgeous lush petals and sweet fragrance, it's hard not to fall in love! Read more about the history and varieties of Peonies.
Shop Peonies
Show stopping Peony ‘Gay Paree’ is a two-toned wonder. Bright hot pink outer petals cradle densely-packed fringed creamy-white petals in the center. Sweetly fragrant, they bloom ...
Learn MoreGay Paree Peony Garden Peony Gay Paree Paeonia lactiflora Gay Paree$18.65 Sale $13.99Per Bag of 1Show stopping Peony ‘Gay Paree’ is a two-toned wonder. Bright hot pink outer petals cradle densely-packed fringed creamy-white petals in the center. Sweetly fragrant, they bloom on sturdy stems requiring no staking. This distinctive, open faced Japanese style flower is a refreshing addition to the late spring garden. (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Gay Paree’)‘Shirley Temple’ shines with white double blooms sporting hints of blush pink. As the season progresses the silky petals fade to ivory white. Named for the famous child star of H...
Learn MoreShirley Temple Peony Garden Peony Shirley Temple, Double Peony Paeonia lactiflora Shirley Temple$14.65 Sale $10.99Per Bag of 1‘Shirley Temple’ shines with white double blooms sporting hints of blush pink. As the season progresses the silky petals fade to ivory white. Named for the famous child star of Hollywood in the 1940s, ‘Shirley Temple’ is a spectacle to behold and a favorite among peony-lovers. A mid-season peony that is sure to steal the stage. (Paeonia lactiflora)Our May Mornings Peony Collection helps you greet spring in style with three of our top performing beautiful, bountiful Peonies. A perennial garden favorite treasured for generations...
Learn MoreMay Mornings Peony Collection May Mornings Peony Collection$51.99 Sale $38.99Per Collection of 3Our May Mornings Peony Collection helps you greet spring in style with three of our top performing beautiful, bountiful Peonies. A perennial garden favorite treasured for generations, there is nothing like the fragrance and form of Peonies. Sweetly fragrant, they make lovely cut flowers and are deer and rabbit resistant. (Paeonia) Collection of 3 plants.Cotton Candy Peony Mix is the perfect choice for peony lovers that just can’t decide! This selection of classic colors includes one each of: 'Sarah Bernhardt' (pink), 'Karl Rosen...
Learn MoreCotton Candy Peony Mix Cotton Candy Double Peony Mix Paeonia lactiflora Cotton Candy MixAs low as $29.99 Sale $22.49Per Collection of 3Cotton Candy Peony Mix is the perfect choice for peony lovers that just can’t decide! This selection of classic colors includes one each of: 'Sarah Bernhardt' (pink), 'Karl Rosenfield' (red), and 'Shirley Temple' (white). Each tried and true variety has impressive 6-8” wide flowers, perfect for summer arrangements and wedding bouquets. Peonies are long-lived plants that hold their foliage beautifully after their bloom season has passed. (Paeonia lactiflora)An old-fashioned and beloved peony that has been amazing gardeners for generations, 'Felix Crousse' produces magenta-red double blooms with a slight silvery glow. Fragrant flowers ar...
Learn MoreFelix Crousse Peony Garden Peony Felix Crousse, Double Peony Paeonia lactiflora Felix Crousse$11.99 Sale $8.99Per Bag of 1An old-fashioned and beloved peony that has been amazing gardeners for generations, 'Felix Crousse' produces magenta-red double blooms with a slight silvery glow. Fragrant flowers are plentiful on the bush and excellent in bouquets. Introduced from France, 'Felix Crousse' is on the smaller side for a peony, making it a great choice for full-sun border displays. (Paeonia lactiflora)‘Festiva Maxima’ has been a garden favorite for more than 150 years! Large white flowers, handsome foliage, and enchanting fragrance are the hallmarks of this beloved early-seaso...
Learn MoreFestiva Maxima Peony Garden Peony Festiva Maxima, Double Peony Paeonia lactiflora Festiva Maxima$22.65 Sale $16.99Per Bag of 1‘Festiva Maxima’ has been a garden favorite for more than 150 years! Large white flowers, handsome foliage, and enchanting fragrance are the hallmarks of this beloved early-season peony. Burgundy spring foliage and yellow fall color add to the charm of ‘Festiva Maxima’. Makes a stunning specimen in the early summer garden. Strong stems are excellent for cutting. (Paeonia lactiflora)In cultivation for over 150 years, ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ Peony will add a timeless elegance to your garden's border. Pure white double blooms with a hint of gold at the center, l...
Learn MoreDuchesse de Nemours Peony Peony Duchesse de Nemours Paeonia lactiflora Duchesse de Nemours$15.99 Sale $11.99Per Bag of 1In cultivation for over 150 years, ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ Peony will add a timeless elegance to your garden's border. Pure white double blooms with a hint of gold at the center, lend a glow and a sweet fragrance to a garden setting. Lovely cut flowers too! (Paeonia lactiflora)Lightly fragrant, ‘Benjamin Franklin' Peony's deep-red double blossoms join the parade just as other peonies are fading in early summer. Perfect for cut flowers, the large outer pe...
Learn MoreBenjamin Franklin Peony Peony Benjamin Franklin, Double Peony Paeonia lactiflora Benjamin Franklin$15.99 Sale $11.99Per Bag of 1Lightly fragrant, ‘Benjamin Franklin' Peony's deep-red double blossoms join the parade just as other peonies are fading in early summer. Perfect for cut flowers, the large outer petals cradle delicate inner petals for sumptuous blooms that star in the yard or in a flower vase. Long-lived, a peony will thrive for decades. (Paeonia lactiflora)
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