How to Grow and Care for Peonies to Ensure Beautiful Blooms Year After Year

Every flower is beautiful in its own right, but there's something especially alluring about the peony's voluminous, ruffled blooms. Produced in a rainbow of colors ranging from delicate pastel pink to creamy white to rich red, they're inherently romantic and a true hallmark of spring and summer. 

"Peonies are recognized as 'the queen of flowers,'" says Bart Miller, a peony farmer based in Hyrum, Utah. "When we tell someone we grow peonies on our farm, the response is always the same: 'I love peonies, they are my favorite flower!'" 

Miller says there's nothing like watching winter snow melt away to give way to peony buds that bloom within six weeks into bold, colorful, and fragrant flowers. And it's no wonder they are the most requested flower for weddings and special events; the peony symbolizes prosperity, love, and romance (and also bravery). 

Learning how to grow and care for peonies requires some attention to detail, but you'll be rewarded kindly. In fact, this perennial is known to produce increasingly gorgeous blossoms year after year.

Types of Peonies 

Peonies date all the way back to 1000 B.C. China, and there are over 6,500 varieties. Of all of those varieties, each falls into one of three categories: 

• Herbaceous: This cold-hardy type of peony is the most common and grows on stems
• Tree: These are stemmed shrubs 
• Itoh: These are a cross between herbaceous and tree peonies

"What I find special about peonies is not only that their beautiful blooms return every year, but that they could keep coming back for more than a century, so the plant really matures with you over the years, giving you fresh flowers for generations," says Rebecca Sears, gardening expert and chief marketing officer for Ferry-Morse. "The petals are also edible and make a gorgeous garnish." 

Different Ways to Grow Peony Plants

Growing From Seed

Peonies can be grown from seed, but it's not the best way to go about introducing this beautiful plant to your yard. It can take anywhere from five to seven years for a peony to produce flowers from seed, Miller says, so your best bet is to instead purchase a potted plant from a root propagation. 

"Unless the parent plant is an open-pollinated variety, the seeds won't grow true, meaning the resulting plants will likely look different than the parent," Sears adds.

That said, if you already have peonies in your garden and want to try planting from seeds produced by your plant, you can do so. Start by collecting the seed pods in the late summer or early fall once they've browned and split open. 

"Once collected, place the seeds in lukewarm water and discard any seeds that float, as these likely won't sprout," instructs Sears. "From there, you can plant your seeds right away in an area that gets at least six hours of sun per day and has well-draining soil, which should be kept moist but not wet." 

Mature Potted Plants 

This is the simplest and most effective way to grow peonies. Miller says bare-root stock that are dug and shipped when dormant in the fall will produce the best blossoms.

"Peonies need a lot of space to grow, so if you're purchasing multiple plants, be sure you have enough room in your garden to place them at least four feet apart," Sears advises. "Plant them in a hole that's about 2 to 3 inches deep in a sunny area. You'll also want to pick a space that's safe from strong winds, as the heavy flowers can cause the plant to flop over during a storm." 

If you live in an area that's prone to harsh weather conditions throughout the year, consider purchasing a support tower to help your peonies stay up during the seasons. Once planted, it'll take about three years for an abundant show of flowers. 

Transplanting

Once settled, peonies don't take very kindly to transplanting. Doing so typically requires a long recovery process, and can stall blooms for up to three years. In cases of poor transfer, it can cause severe damage and result in a lengthy recovery. 

"Peonies have deep and extensive root systems, and they establish strong connections with the soil over time," explains Michael O'Brien, founder and owner of Hommes + Gardens. "Young peony plants may produce smaller flowers initially, but as they mature and develop a stronger root system, the blooms tend to increase in size and quality. By transplanting, you are interrupting this process." 

If you must transplant, he says to follow these rules: 

1. Transplant peonies in early fall or early spring.
2. Dig carefully, making sure to avoid damage to the root system.
3. Select a well draining location with sunlight or partial shade. 
4. Place the peony at the right depth (2 to 3 inches) with buds facing upward, then backfill with soil. 
5. Water thoroughly and apply organic mulch to retain moisture and deter weeds. 

How to Grow and Care for Peonies 

Temperature

"Peonies like plenty of sun and need a solid winter freeze to store their energy in their roots to form the buds for the following spring," says Miller. "Therefore, peonies are not a good prospect for warm zones like Southern California, Florida, and some southern states." 

Light

Peonies need at least six hours of full sunlight to achieve an abundance of large, healthy flowers, says Sears. 

Soil

Well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is essential, along with a good, organic compost. Don't plant the root too deep or the peony won't bloom. Once you position the root in the hole, cover the buds with only one to two inches of soil. 

Fertilizer

"Once the plants have bloomed, you can apply a mix of compost and a bit of fertilizer to the base of the plant every year," Sears says. 

Water

Provide about 1 to 2 inches of water once per week. This isn't a plant that requires irrigation or tons of water. 

Pruning

"Prune your peonies by cutting them back to ground level in late fall or early spring before the new growth emerges," O'Brien advises. "While pruning, do a quick health check. If you see any dead or damaged stems, remove them at that time to maintain plant health." 

Deadheading

When you cut the flowers, leave at least two sets of leaves on the plant, Miller says. He adds, "Deadhead peonies as they bloom and make sure you leave the leaves to allow the plant to store energy for next year's growth."

Common Problems With Peonies

Once established, peonies are a hardy shrub that requires minimal maintenance. However, like other plants, they're susceptible to their own set of issues. Miller says that when something's awry, you'll be able to visibly tell that your peonies need some extra TLC. Be on the lookout for the following:

Leggy Stems 

If your peonies aren't getting enough sun, you'll notice that the plant is producing leggy stems and very few flowers. "You can dig up your plant and move it to a sunnier spot, but it will take a few seasons for it to start blooming again," says Sears. "Alternatively, you could also trim away any trees or shrubs that are giving your peonies extra shade." 

Crispy Leaves

Conversely, if you notice singed or burnt leaves, this is a sign your peonies are getting too much sun. They're particularly prone to this issue in the middle of summer when days are long and hot. Sears recommends adding structures or other plants around your peonies to provide them with extra shade, rather than moving them to a shadier spot. 

No Blooms

You may notice that your peony produces ample greenery, but that blooms are lacking. While it does take anywhere from three to seven years for abundant blossoms, this could be a sign that your peonies were planted too deep into the soil. "Too much soil around the crown of the plant can prevent them from blooming," explains Sears. "You will have to dig your peonies up and replant them to fix this, but they should start to bloom in the seasons to come." 

Powdery Mildew 

One common issue with peonies is powdery mildew, which can leave their leaves looking less than beautiful. "A simple solution is to ensure proper air circulation around the plants, avoid overhead watering, and to treat them with a neem oil or a homemade baking soda spray," O'Brien says. "With a little TLC, those peonies will be blooming splendidly in no time!"

Season-by-Season Peony Care Chart

Refer to our handy season-by-season peony care chart, courtesy of Kaylyn Hewitt, the lead floral designer at The Bouqs Company, so you can give these bushes the attention they require at any point in the year.