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
'Sarah Bernhardt' is a beloved Peony with large double flowers in fresh, pastel pink. Introduced in 1906, this longtime favorite blooms dependably year after year and presents a heal...
Learn MoreSarah Bernhardt Peony Sarah Bernhardt Double Peony Paeonia lactiflora Sarah BernhardtAs low as $16.98 Sale $11.99Per Bag of 1'Sarah Bernhardt' is a beloved Peony with large double flowers in fresh, pastel pink. Introduced in 1906, this longtime favorite blooms dependably year after year and presents a healthy amount of emerald green foliage to add interest to the garden throughout the season. Also known for its fragrance, 'Sarah Bernhardt' makes a great cut flower - try it in arrangements or float it all by itself in a simple bowl. Like all peonies, this one is deer resistant, cold hardy and extremely long-lived. (Paeonia lactiflora)Learn More‘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$29.98 Sale $19.99Per 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)Learn MoreThree American Peony Society 'Gold Medal' winners make up this champion collection of the best-of-the-best peonies! 'Pink Hawaiian Coral' has pastel pink petals and a frilly gold cen...
Learn MoreAward Winning Peony Collection Award Winning Peony Collection Paeonia$119.98 Sale $79.99Per Collection of 3Three American Peony Society 'Gold Medal' winners make up this champion collection of the best-of-the-best peonies! 'Pink Hawaiian Coral' has pastel pink petals and a frilly gold center, 'Coral Sunset' flowers in a saturated rosy-orange, and 'Canary Brilliants' Itoh peony brings semi-double blooms of creamy yellow to the garden. All are fragrant and deer resistant.Learn MorePeony Coral Sunset buds open up in early spring as deep, rose-coral and slowly fade to yellow as the season progresses. The semi-double blooms are fabulously-fragrant and make gorgeo...
Learn MoreCoral Sunset Peony Coral Sunset Garden Peony, Semi Double Peony Paeonia lactiflora Coral Sunset$25.98 Sale $16.89Per Bag of 1Peony Coral Sunset buds open up in early spring as deep, rose-coral and slowly fade to yellow as the season progresses. The semi-double blooms are fabulously-fragrant and make gorgeous spring bouquets. (Paeonia lactiflora)Learn MoreCotton 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 $39.98 Sale $25.99Per Bag 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)Learn More‘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$17.98 Sale $11.69Per 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)Learn MoreCanary Brilliants Itoh Peony has creamy yellow double blooms with delicate rose centers. Lightly fragrant, this Itoh peony can have 30-50 blooms per season once established. Perfect ...
Learn MoreCanary Brilliants Itoh Peony Canary Brilliants Itoh Peony, Intersectional Peony Paeonia (Intersectional hybrid) Canary Brilliants$69.98 Sale $45.49Per Bag of 1Canary Brilliants Itoh Peony has creamy yellow double blooms with delicate rose centers. Lightly fragrant, this Itoh peony can have 30-50 blooms per season once established. Perfect in sun or part shade our exclusive cultivar will wow everyone who sees it! (Paeonia Itoh)Learn MorePeony Moon River is a favorite for bouquets with 8' fragrant flowers that impress in soft cream and pink. Moon River is a compact peony that supports its blooms without extra help. ...
Learn MoreMoon River Peony Moon River Garden Peony, Double Peony Paeonia lactiflora Moon River$31.98 Sale $23.99Per Bag of 1Peony Moon River is a favorite for bouquets with 8' fragrant flowers that impress in soft cream and pink. Moon River is a compact peony that supports its blooms without extra help. Illuminate your sunny garden with this deer resistant perennial. (Paeonia lactiflora)Learn More
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