Methods for planting peonies: site selection, seedling planting and care all have their finer points

The peony is a deciduous shrub of the genus Paeonia in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and one of China's traditional famous flowers, long known as the king of flowers. Its blooms are large and brightly colored, commonly in red, pink, white, purple and other shades, with high ornamental value. As long as you master the basic planting methods, you can grow it well in a courtyard or on a balcony.

For planting peonies, choose a higher spot with good drainage; loose, fertile sandy loam is best, and low-lying, waterlogged ground must be avoided. Before planting, dig the soil deeply and work in well-rotted organic fertilizer as a base dressing to create good conditions for root growth. Peonies are generally best transplanted in autumn, when the roots can still recover slowly, which helps them sprout and bloom the following year.

In everyday care, peonies tolerate drought but fear waterlogging, so water by the rule of letting the soil dry out between waterings and avoiding prolonged dampness. Apply extra fertilizer as needed during the growing season; a supplement of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer before flowering helps blooming, and removing spent flowers promptly afterward reduces nutrient consumption. Provide some shade during the high heat and strong light of summer, and take cold-protection measures in cold regions in winter.

The most common problems in growing peonies are failure to bloom and root rot. Failure to bloom is mostly related to insufficient light, improper fertilizing or the plant not yet being established; newly planted peonies often need time to adapt. Root rot is mostly caused by waterlogging, and can be prevented by watching your watering and keeping the soil airy. For propagation, peonies are commonly divided or grafted, and with proper technique the survival rate is fairly high.