The Classic Peony

The Classic Peony

A true beauty of the garden is the lovely peony. Treasured by the Chinese for centuries, this old classy
dame shines now as this is when she bursts into bloom! My mother grew peonies in every house we lived in on the prairies as did her mother. Hardy to zone 3, this long-lived perennial has been known to live for 50-60 or more years. Peonies come in all different colors and a few different forms such as bush, tree or fern-leaf. The hardiest is the bush form and once planted, dislikes being moved so choose your planting site well. They need full sun and enjoy a heavy, fertile soil. Like roses, they are heavy feeders. The better the growing conditions, the healthier the plant and the better the flowering performance. Blooms can be floated in bowls on dining tables or stems cut long and arranged in a vase for a stunning show.

Peonies can be purchased in two forms; as a tuber in packages in early spring or already started in pots. When planting the tuber, it will take 3 years before it will bloom, whereas if starting from a one or two gallon pot size, they will bloom the same year. Peonies can be planted at most times of the year, but fall planting is a really good idea as it allows them to root all winter. Very little in the plant world can compare to the size and magnificence of the peony bloom!