Know the 3 categories of peonies:

• Herbaceous (or garden) peonies, the most common type found in borders. Their leaves generally die to the ground during the Winter and the plant survives thanks to its root system and the buds (or “eyes”) at the surface level from a plateau (called the “crown”).
• Tree peonies, with a woody stem, generally grafted.
• Intersectional (or Itoh) peonies, newer hybrids between garden and tree peonies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Une publication partagée par Céline | Country Home & Blooms (@countryhomeandblooms) le 1 Juil. 2019 à 6 :07 PDT

Understand the cultural needs of herbaceous (garden) peonies:

• Choose the best location: sunny (at least 6 hours a day).
• Choose the best soil: a well-drained garden soil, slightly acidic (pH 6 to 7), enriched with organic material such as well-rotted manure or homemade decomposed compost.
• Choose the best variety: most varieties succeed well in hardiness zones 3-7, some are tougher for cold climate and some may be more recommended for zones 7 and warmer.
• Plant at the right depth: the colder you are, the deeper you plant the eyes, from 2 inches in zone 3, to 1 inch in zone 5, to the surface level in zone 7.
• Choose when watering: if water is scarce, apply a good dose of water ON THE SOIL, but be sure it dries between waterings.
• Feed when necessary: if the soil becomes compact, add fresh compost all around, but not on the crown. A low-nitrogen liquid or granular fertilizer may be used, on the soil, such as 5-10-10 or 10-10-10.