The Problem with Peonies (updated)

Peonies were the very first perennial my husband and I bought when we purchased our property in Middleton almost 25 years ago. At the time I knew little about them other than the poof of blooms simply took my breath away. At the local nursery I simply had to buy every single plant they had that was currently blooming. Fortunately for my bank account, there were only 6 available.

We planted them immediately and had a beautiful show for a couple of weeks- until they finished blooming that year. Then we did not see another bloom for 2 years. 

Two entire years...

Even though the plants grew thick and pretty foliage each spring, no blooms appeared. I honestly thought something had gone terribly wrong, so I started asking questions.

This is when I learned the true problem with peonies.

The problem isn't that they are:
*   Too big and fluffy
*   Too sweet
*   Too many varieties and colors to choose from

No, the problem with peonies is that even though they will grow for more than 50 years if taken care of properly, they simply do not like to be moved or transplanted.

Don't get me wrong. It will not kill a peony to be transplanted. However they will frequently focus on putting on roots for a year or two before they begin blooming again. 

NO BLOOMS??

The big bodacious blooms are the entire reason we grow these tough plants, but in reality this plant looks to the future. To give those blooms for decades to come takes a lot of energy and energy comes from their roots and shoots. Before I tell you how to improve your odds of getting blooms the first year or two after planting, let me tell you a pit more about the peony.

On a root in the fall you will find little white or pink nubs called "eyes". Each eye represents the probable number of shoots or stalks that will grow in the spring.

When you buy a plant at a typical nursery or store, they may or may not tell you how many eyes the root has.  Typical is 2-3 eye. If you are buying through a reputable local nursery, it may even have 3-5 eyes. Rarely, but in extra special times you can find a 6-8 eye plant. These will probably give you flowers the first year!
More shoots in the spring = more energy to create and grow deep foundational roots. So typically, the larger the root, the more likely you are to get flowers.

Typically anything less than 5 eyes, the plant will focus on making more roots and eyes for the next year rather than putting up blooms.

Knowing what I know now, I must have purchased plants with only 2-3 eyes. This made the plant take 2 years before enough energy was provided to the roots for it to safely produce flowers. 

Once those initial plants started blooming, it was simply spectacular! They have almost always been perfectly on schedule for the second week of June each year. I couldn't love them more.

So I dig and divide my roots to make more plants and this year I am buying more colors. :)

I am running out of spaces to put these beauties, so this is the first year I am sharing my peony roots. I'd love to hear from you. Now that you know about the problem with peonies and root sizes,

Do you pay extra to have blooms the first year?
Or do you get a good price and have patience?

It’s totally up to you!

Whatever the size you plant, here is some basic care information...
Care information:
•    Plant in full sun with the eye 1" below the soil level.
•    Give a good deep watering right after planting and whenever the soil is dry. (approximately 2x per week through the growing season)
•    Fertilize plants in May and the end of July
•    Grows 24”-30” wide and 32”-36” tall 
•    Cut and remove foliage in the fall after first frost

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