After purchasing my first home in Maryland in 2011, I finally had the opportunity to make a garden of my own. In doing so, I discovered peonies and fell madly in love with them. Having grown up in Central California, I never knew about the peony because the ideal climate to grow them requires very cold winters and that is not something common to that area.

All of the flowers showcased in this post are photos I took of the many varieties I had in my garden. I had to leave them behind when we moved in 2020 (which broke my heart) but I’m rebuilding a new garden that will be just as beautiful.

I hope you enjoy learning about peonies and find just as much beauty in them as I do.

The peony, such a beloved flower, is the very epitome of June. 

With it’s huge blossoms, vibrant colors and fragrant scents, theses flowers are desired by many who appreciate it’s delicate beauty. China was the first nation to properly value the stunning beauty of the peony. In the East the peony came to symbolize good fortune, honor and a happy marriage. However, the peony was introduced to the West for it’s perceived medicinal properties.

There are three distinct types of peony; the tree peony (actually a shrub), which produces woody stems that carry the flowers and leave that fall each autumn; the herbaceous peony which throws up shoots from the ground in the spring, with stems that die back in the autumn; and Itoh or intersectional peonies, which combine the best characteristics of both forms.

In this article, I am going to focus on the herbaceous peony as that seems to be what is most common among homeowners in the United States.

Herbaceous Peonies

Herbaceous peonies are perennial plants that will grow to 2-4ft.  In the spring they send up new growth from the crown with a reddish hue.  The new growth turns from a deep red to green and is known to color elegantly in the fall.  Variety dependent, the plants will bloom from late spring to early summer of which the flowering only lasts a few weeks.  After the growing season the stems and foliage die back.

Herbaceous peonies thrive in full sun or light shade.  One advantage to planting them in the shade is that despite having fewer blooms, the blooms will actually last longer.  The single-flowered species fares better in the shade than the multi-petalled doubles.  And, the pink blossoms fade quickly in the sun and need more shade to retain their color.

Planting Peonies

I’ve learned that there are two rules when it comes to planting peonies. 

1.  They must be planted at the correct depth. 

2.  Do not overwater them.

If you purchased your peony as a bare-root, you will see the buds, or the crown, that will produce next season’s growth.  The root should be planted no more than 2-inches below the surface of the soil.  One of the most common reasons a peony fails to bloom is because it has been planted too deeply.

If you purchased your peony in a container, plant it so that the garden soil is the same level as the soil in the pot.  Spacing the plants apart by 2 to 3 feet will allow space for the roots to settle in and mature.  Peonies can live for up to 50 years if cared for properly.  Providing ample space will allow air to circulate and help prevent disease.

Water the peony immediately after planting.  After that, let nature take its course unless there has not been much rain.  In that case, give the plants a good soak twice a week.  They won’t appreciate a daily sprinkling of water.  After the first year, only follow that watering regimen if the weather is extremely dry.

Expect to see your herbaceous peony begin to bloom in its second year.

Deadheading

Peonies tend to drop their petals in one dramatic shower.  After this, the seed pods are left behind.  The seed pod will use energy from the plant so it can continue to develop instead of the plant using that energy toward production of next year’s blooms.  So, it’s up to you to whether or not you want to keep the seed pods and enjoy their unique visual appeal knowing that the amount of next year’s blooms might be diminished, or nip them off with a pair of pruning shears.

Pests

The good news is that peonies are resilient plants and problem free.  And for those who battle the deer and rabbits in your yard, you will be happy to know they steer clear from peonies.

As peonies are getting ready to bloom, the buds secret a sugary nectar that ants love.  You’ve probably noticed them making their way all around the plants and over the buds.  Luckily, when it comes to ants and peonies, no removal is necessary.

The type of relationship between peonies and ants in the plant world is described as mutualism, where both parties experience mutual benefit from the relationship.

The peonies provide a food source of sugars, amino acids, and other compounds the ants need. In return, the ants protect the plant from other pests that may actually cause damage.

Let nature take its course and don’t worry about the ants invading your peonies. They’re actually helping keep these beauties protected so you may enjoy the greatest of blooms in the late Spring.

Cutting Peony Flowers

Herbaceous peonies are the most popular of the three types of peonies as they make fabulous cut flowers.  Initially you will have to exercise great patience and restrain yourself from cutting the flowers for 3 long years after planting.  The peony needs this time to gain strength and mature.  Once the plant has established itself, cut the flowers when the bud is breaking and you begin to see the color of the petals as the sepals loosen.  The buds are often describes as marshmallows in this stage because they feel as soft as one.

It’s ideal to pick blooms first thing in the morning when the stems are plump and immediately put them into water.  And finally, when cutting the flower, don’t make your cut too far down the stem.  It’s best practice to leave as much stem as you can — a quarter stem is the minimum — because the stem and foliage continue to go through photosynthesis which provides nourishment to the roots.

Cut peonies like a lot of water.  If notice they are looking droopy, it’s advised that you put them in a deep bucket of water or even lay them in a bathtub filled with water, as they absorb water even through the petals.

Once you have placed the flower in a vase, the flowers will last longer if you cut off a small piece of the stem daily and replace the water with fresh water.  The more water the better, especially for the first few days, as peonies are thirsty plants.  So make sure to keep an eye on water levels and keep those stems hydrated.