Peonies

Peony plants offer big, fluffy, fragrant flowers in a wide range of colors, forms and sizes. The are perennials so they will come back each year. There are three types of peonies: herbaceous (bush), tree and Itoh (intersectional). Herbaceous and Itoh varieties grow 1 to 3 feet tall, with a similar spread, while a mature tree can reach 4 to 7 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. Colors can range from pink, red, white, yellow, maroon, and coral. They are deer and rabbit resistant.

PLANTING 
Most peony plants are sun-lovers and should be getting at least six hours of daylight. Most soil types are fine but plant them in a spot that has good drainage, standing water can be problematic.
Ants love peonies so planting them close to the house may not be ideal. A raised garden bed or slope is a good spot to plant peonies.
Potted specimens can be purchased and planted in the Spring and bare root peonies are best planted in fall. Peonies are grow able in zones 2-8.

How deep to plant a peony: Here are the ideal planting depths for each type:
• Herbaceous: Position these with their “eyes” 2 inches deep.

• Intersectional: Plant them just below the soil surface, 1.5 inches deep.

PEONY CARE & PRUNING
Peonies can take time to develop. They may not bloom the first or second year of being planted. Once they do become established they require little maintenance. Peony bushes do not require precise pruning to thrive. Often pruning is only necessary in the event of damage or disease.

Pruning

• Herbaceous peonies: At the end of the growing season, cut your herbaceous peonies all the way to the ground.

• Intersectional peonies: Cut back at the end of the growing season, leaving 4 to 6 inches of stem.

FLOWER FORMS

Peonies are further classified by their flower form. Some types have a single ring of petals, while other types have multiple rows of petals. Here is a list of the different types of flower forms:

VARIETIES

Buckeye Belle-A Japanese type with clump-forming habit; velvety maroon flowers that bloom in June. Foliage Height: 30”-34” Flowering Height: 30”-34” Spread: 24”-36”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Bernhardt-A double-flowered type with clump-forming habit. Large light pink flowers that bloom in June. Foliage Height: 30”-34” Flowering Height: 32”-36” Spread: 18”-24”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coral Charm-A semi-double type with clump-forming habit. Coral-peach flowers blooming in June that fade to an apricot color. Foliage Height: 28”-32” Flowering Height: 28”-32” Spread: 24”-30”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duchesse de Nemours-A double-flowered type with clump-forming habit. Large, double, ivory white flowers blooming in June. Foliage Height: 34”-36” Flowering Height: 34”-36” Spread: 18”-24”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bartzella-One of the first intersectional hybrids with clump-forming habit; fully double, rose-purple flared, yellow flowers blooming in May-June. Foliage Height: 24”-36” Flowering Height: 36”-48” Spread: 24”-36”