how to take care of peonies

There’s something truly special about peonies. Their lush, voluminous blooms and intoxicating fragrance make them a highlight of the spring garden. While they have a reputation for being a bit diva-like, these perennial beauties are actually quite resilient and can thrive for decades with the right attention. Learning how to take care of peonies is simpler than you might think, and the reward is a breathtaking display year after year.

The Perfect Start: Planting and Sunlight

Success with peonies begins at planting time. Choose a spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. Good drainage is absolutely essential, as their roots will rot in soggy soil. When you plant the root division, pay close attention to the depth. Those little pink buds, called “eyes,” should be no more than two inches below the soil surface. Planting them too deep is a common reason a peony might not flower.

Your Guide on How to Take Care of Peonies

Once established, peonies are wonderfully low-maintenance. They are drought-tolerant but will benefit from a deep weekly watering during very dry spells. In the early spring, as the red shoots emerge, you can give them a light feeding with a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer to support strong growth. The most important seasonal task is cleanup; in the fall, after a hard frost has blackened the foliage, cut the stems back to the ground to prevent disease.

Supporting Those Spectacular Blooms

Those magnificent, heavy blooms often need a little help to stay upright, especially after a rain. A peony cage, placed over the plant in early spring, is the most effective solution. It provides invisible support as the plant grows through it, holding up the stems before the flowers even form. This simple step prevents heartbreak and keeps your display looking pristine.

A Simple Tip for More Flowers

For the largest possible flowers, you can try disbudding. Look at the tip of a stem, and you’ll often see one large, central bud flanked by smaller side buds. By gently pinching off the smaller side buds, the plant will direct all its energy into the remaining central bud, resulting in one spectacular, record-breaking bloom on that stem.

With just a little bit of know-how, you can enjoy the timeless beauty of peonies in your own garden. Give them the right foundation, a bit of seasonal care, and some support for their show-stopping performance, and they will repay you with a lifetime of gorgeous flowers.