Peonies are perennial favorites in the flower garden. Few herbaceous plants can rival them for floral display and foliage. Their exquisite, large blossoms, often fragrant, make excellent cut flowers and the foliage provides a background for annuals or other perennials.
Peonies grow from two to four feet in height. Support is often required for tall, double hybrids. Peonies thrive in sunny locations and well-drained soils, tolerating a wide range of soil types. Best growth is in soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5, deep and rich in organic matter. They are hardy from zone 8 to zone 2 (central Ohio is zone 5) with some exceptions.
In cold climates, those with an average minimum temperature below -20 degrees F, winter mulching is necessary if there is little or no snow cover. Because winter chilling is required for dormancy, peonies do not perform well in subtropical areas. Planting, transplanting and dividing peonies are best done in early fall but may be done in spring as soon as soils are workable.
Each plant requires an area about three feet in diameter. Dig a generous hole, large enough to accommodate the roots, and incorporate aged organic matter in the bottom. Place the peony in the prepared hole so that the eyes (small, red-colored buds) are one to two inches below the soil’s surface.
Peonies may be left undisturbed for many years. A decline in flower production usually indicates overcrowding and the need for division. To remedy this, carefully lift the clump and wash away the soil to expose the eyes. Using a clean, sharp tool, divide the clump into sections, each with three to five eyes and good roots. Replant the perennial immediately.