How do you plant peonies? A few practical growing tips to share

When the first enormous peony unfurls its petals, you want to touch it and live inside that gorgeous bloom. This perfume is released by the late-spring air, and it is advisable not to inhale too much of it. Among all those splendid garden flowers, do you, like me, most wish that peonies could last forever? There, peonies grow large, bushy and covered in blooms. Passed down and cultivated through generations, the peony is an enduring legacy.

Peonies need cold winter weather to thrive; without enough freezing time, they will produce very few buds. Here are a few tips on how to grow the best peonies, ones that can withstand the test of climate.

Where do peonies grow in the South?

In the South, people think peonies may perform poorly, but there are some secrets that can help them thrive. "Location largely determines how well you and your peonies get along." Here, we recommend partial shade, ideally with protection from the afternoon sun. Peonies grown in full sun usually wither in mid-summer. These plants enter dormancy early; preventing them from going dormant prematurely, while overheating and scorching sun reduce the next year's blooming. However, under filtered light, peony foliage will keep growing in late summer or early fall, storing energy for next year's flowers.

To fertilize or not to fertilize?

Peonies planted in the garden can bloom without fertilizer; just let them take in rainwater naturally.

What about watering?

In humid conditions, soil preparation is very important. They do not want to sit in soggy soil. So dig a large, wide hole and amend the soil with leaf compost or soil conditioners, all of which are available at garden stores.

A lifetime of peonies? A dream come true

"They say you should plant peonies for a lifetime," which means peonies can easily live 50 years. That does not mean you cannot move them. "The time to replant peonies is in late fall, when they are dormant. After the leaves die back, dig a large circle around the plant and carefully lift out the roots. Replanting it is just like wanting a new peony. "Be patient. It may take several years to establish and develop,"