Grow Pretty Peonies!

March 3, 2014 | By webadmin

Romantic, beautiful, delicate and lovely … all perfect words to describe peony flowers. If you’ve ever lived in a northern climate, then you may be used to seeing these beauties in perennial gardens.  As they prefer cold winters and mild summers, they are right at home in a northern climate. So you might think you can’t grow them here in your Texas gardens. Think again! With the right space, soil preparation and a little extra forethought, you can grow these desirable blooms.

Peonies will perform especially well after cold winters like the one we’re having now!

Sun

Peonies perform best in a location that receives morning sun and protection from the afternoon sun. An east facing garden bed is perfect. An area that receives dappled sun all day would also be good. Your peonies will need sun to bloom, so no dense shade, please!

Soil

Peonies prefer a more acidic soil. Anywhere you’d plant a hydrangea, camellia or Japanese maple would be great for a peony. Compost & manure will help with soil acidity. After planting, add a thick layer of mulch to protect roots.

Water

Keep moist but not soggy, especially through summer. A drip irrigation line would keep soil ideally moist. Good drainage is important too. Lava sand or expanded shale mixed into the soil will improve drainage.

Maintenance

Provide support for the heavy-blooming flowers by adding a peony ring. Feed plants at planting time and then spring and fall each year. Deadhead spent blooms and cut back your peony in winter. Come late winter, early spring, you’ll see “eyes” peeking out of the soil.

Peonies take patience. Your first year, you will see some blooms in late spring and early summer. Each year thereafter, as roots become established, you'll be rewarded with more blooms.