Wondering when to plant peonies to enjoy their gorgeous blooms? These flowers, resembling delicate ruffled wedding dresses in shades of pink, white, or magenta, can bring beauty to your garden.
Peonies, known for their enchanting fragrance, typically bloom in May and June. Once you understand how to cultivate peonies, knowing the best planting times is key.
This guide provides essential insights on when to plant peonies, ensuring their lavish flowers grace your garden every summer.
Optimal Times for Planting Peonies
Potted herbaceous and intersectional peonies can be planted year-round, but late April, May, or September are ideal. Bare root varieties should be planted in fall, and tree peonies, whether potted or bare root, thrive when planted in fall as well.
Originating from China, the most popular herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora) is long-lasting. Consider pairing them with roses for a romantic touch in your flower bed ideas. They also complement foxgloves and bellflowers beautifully in a cottage garden border, as well as modern garden designs.
According to landscape architect and designer Bethany Rydmark, peonies look stunning alongside ornamental grasses like Liriope spicata or Carex oshimensis 'Everillo', or intermixed with spring bulbs.
Planting Potted Peonies
Containerized herbaceous lactiflora and intersectional peonies can be planted any time of year, though mid to late spring or early fall is optimal. Early planting helps them establish quicker, leading to blooms in their next season.
Owner and nurseryman Alec White from Primrose Hall Peonies advises that established potted peonies can be planted anytime. However, avoid extreme hot or cold weather and soggy ground.
Planting Bare Root Peonies
For bare root peonies, timing is vital. They are harvested in fall and should be planted soon after lifting. Alec White explains that they deteriorate quickly once removed from the soil.
It's best to plant bare roots by November, depending on soil conditions. Spring offerings might have been in storage since fall, making them less likely to establish well.
Soak the roots for 30-60 minutes before planting in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with plenty of sunlight.
Planting Tree Peonies
Containerized and bare root tree peonies (woody-stemmed varieties) should ideally be planted in fall for strong root development before winter. They can also be planted in winter or early spring, provided the ground isn't frozen or overly wet. Avoid planting during extreme cold or summer heat.
While bare root options are often more affordable, they may not be as reliable. Soak the roots for 30-60 minutes before planting. Ensure the soil is well-draining by mixing in organic matter and grit if needed.
Planting Species Peonies
Several beautiful species peonies, like the soft-yellow P. daurica subsp. mlokosewitschii (Molly the Witch), pink P. cambessedesii (Majorcan peony), and red P. tenuifolia (fernleaf peony), should be planted in late spring. Due to their potential cost, consider growing them from seed in the fall.
Sowing Peony-Flowered Plants
If you're eager for peony-like blooms, consider other plants:
Peony-flowered opium poppies (Papaver somniferum Paeoniiflorum Group), like 'Scarlet Peony' and 'Black Peony', produce double flowers above blue-gray foliage. Plant them directly in April or May for summer blooms or in early fall for blooms next year.
Double hollyhocks (like Chater's Double Group and 'Peaches 'n' Dreams') have peony-like flowers on tall stems. These short-lived perennials can be sown in spring or early fall, or planted as potted plants between May and October.
Gorgeous double tulips (such as soft-pink 'Angélique' and crimson 'Antraciet') yield peony-like flowers in April and May. Plant them in late October or November for blooms in spring.
