Today we want to highlight the classic well loved spring favorite shrubs, peonies. They are known for their giant show stopping blooms and fragrance that can fill your garden. They make gorgeous cut flowers that can fill your home with a wonderful scent. Do you know that they are a symbol of the 12-year wedding anniversay as well? They symbolize romance and prosperity.
They are many varieties and assortment of colors. They are ideal to grow as a hedge row, stand alone or in a perennial garden for an early spring garden show stopper . Once the blooms are spent, the dark foilage gives a nice textured back drop to your summer flowers.
How to grow peonies:
- Choose area with well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade (depend on the variety).
- You can plant the roots as early as fall or start with a young plant in the spring.
- During the growing season, add a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize peonies in early spring with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth and abundant blooms.
- After the blooming season, deadhead the spent flowers to encourage more blooms next year.
- After all the leaves turn yellow, which happens around October and November, you can cut the stems down.
Peonies might be a perfect plant for your garden but they also have many challenges. The heavy blooms, especially after a heavy spring rain, can cause the bush to bend and break the stems. There are a few ways to tackle this.
Give an early plant support using a peony ring you can find at Sutherlands. Stake them over the young shoots coming out from the ground. Thread them through as the plant gets bigger.
If the bush becomes too big and it is late in the season, it will be hard to thread the plant through wire cage. You can use bamboo sticks. Stake a few around the plants and tie the twine on each stick tightly. Start sliding the twine upward to slowly lifting the plants up.
If the bush becomes too big and it is late in the season, it will be hard to thread the plant through wire cage. You can use bamboo sticks. Stake a few around the plants and tie the twine on each stick tightly. Start sliding the twine upward to slowly lifting the plants up.
Another common issue has to do with ants on the flower buds. Do you know it is just a myth that ants help the flower bloom? Ants are not harmful to peonies. They are just attracted to the sweet nectar produced by the buds.
Another common problem for peonies is powdery mildew. It won’t kill your plant instantly but if left untreated, it can weaken your plant. Make sure the plant has plenty of ventilation. If caught early, you can just cut the affected area to prevent it from spreading. Avoid watering on the leaves from the top. The next method is to use a fungicide often during the rainy season all over the plants; from the shoots and later on established leaves. Ask Sutherlands experts, we can direct you to the right product.
When you are ready to bring them inside, gently shake the flower to dislodge the ants or rinse the buds with water.
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To cut peonies for arrangements or bouquets, it's important to do it correctly to ensure the flowers last as long as possible. Begin by selecting peonies that are in the 'marshmallow' stage, where the buds are soft but not fully open. Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. |
Peonies are generally low maintenance once established but may benefit from occasional division every few years to rejuvenate the plants and improve flowering.
To split a peony plant, you should start by digging up the entire plant carefully, making sure to disturb the roots as little as possible. Once the plant is out of the ground, use a sharp knife to carefully divide the root ball into sections, ensuring that each section has at least 3-5 healthy buds and a good portion of roots attached.
With the proper care for your beloved peonies, you can enjoy them for years to come.
Sutherlands has all you need from healthy soil, mulch, plant food to encourage blooms and be disease free.
