Peonies are beautiful annuals with an old-world charm that make the garden beautiful and fragrant for many years. If you are looking for flowering plants that are not eaten by wild animals, peonies are a great choice.
It is possible to grow these plants in almost any geographical area, but they require a period of dormancy; however, most varieties do not survive in regions with minimum temperatures reaching -4 ° C.
Steps
Step 1. Plant peonies in late summer or early fall, at least six weeks before the ground starts to freeze
Choose carefully the place where to place them; once established, these plants no longer need to be disturbed. Find a place where they can receive at least 6-8 hours of full sunlight during the growing season; keep in mind that they don't develop well in moist or loamy soil, but a raised bed could avoid this problem.
Step 2. Dig a hole about 40cm deep and wide enough to accommodate the root system
Be very careful not to bury the peonies too much; for best results, bury only the portion of the stem that is already below ground level in the pot. This is a very important detail for peonies, because if you dig them too much, they won't bloom; however, you can pull them out of the ground and try again by reducing the depth of the hole on the next attempt. The top of the red, spiky shoots should be about 2.5-5 cm above the soil surface; furthermore, the plants should be spaced about 90 cm apart.
Step 3. Wait for the flowering time
Peonies typically start flowering one to three years after being planted, depending on the variety. Heavy flowers tend to sag, especially after a rain, and you should therefore put some supports. An easy way to create props is to insert four poles into the ground around the plant and tie sturdy twine from pole to pole to form a grid on which the stems can grow. If you wish, you can also purchase metal stands at garden centers or nurseries.
Step 4. For peonies to produce bigger and bigger buds, leave only one large bud on each stem, pinching out the smaller ones before they begin to develop
Trim older flowers as soon as they begin to fail, but don't remove the foliage until a severe frost sets in. At this point, you can prune extensively leaving only a few centimeters; peonies benefit from a good cut. To avoid the spread of fungal diseases, you shouldn't throw the plant material in the compost.
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It is normal for there to be ants on plants; it is a temporary and natural phenomenon. Peonies are believed to produce a small amount of nectar and other substances that attract these insects, which in turn help to open the dense buds consisting of two sets of petals, typical of many varieties. You may notice that ants are found on some species of peonies and avoid others; this is also normal behavior. When the buds bloom, the insects also disappear.
Grow and Care for Peonies Step 4Bullet1
