Peonies for the home landscape

Department of Horticultural Science Horticulture Information Leaflet 8501 2/99 PEONIES FOR THE HOME LANDSCAPE Erv Evans Extension Associate I Peonies are long-lived, perennial flowers that produce large flowers in the spring. Colors include black, coral, cream, crimson, pink, purple, rose, scarlet, white, and yellow. By planting early, mid-season, and late flowering culti vars, you can have peonies flowering for 6 to 8 weeks. Two types of peonies are grown in North Carolina: garden peonies ( Paeonia valbiflora or Paeonia officinalis) and tree peonies ( Paeonia suffruticosa). Garden peonies are herbaceous perennials (height 20 to 36 inches) grouped into fi ve types according to flower shape: single, semidouble, double, Japanese, and anemone. Tree peonies produce large numbers of flowers on a shrub- like plant; the stems do not die back each year. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. Cultivars Peonies grow best in cool climates. Some mail order catalogs provide a rating range from 1 00 to 300 chilling hours per winter for cultivars. Selectcultivarswithalowchilling requirement. In general, most of the newer peony cultivars do not perform well in the south because they were bred and selected in northern nurseries and do not receive an adequate amount of cold weather in North Carolina. Many of the older cultivars perform reasonably well in N orth Carolina including: Baroness Schroeder (white), Felix Crousse (red), Festiva Maxima (white double with a crimson center), Felix Supreme (raspberry), Mons. Jules Elie (medium pink double), Sarah Bernhardt (apple blossom pink) , and Teresa (pink). Site Requirements Peonies grow best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. Peonies require winter cold to flower. To encourage flowering, plant on a northern exposure and do not mulch in the winter. Flower size will decrease due to root competition from nearby trees and shrubs. The planting site should have protection from strong winds, but be well aerated to reduce diseases problems. Peonies prefer a well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Roots will quickly rot in poorly-drained soil; consider planting in a raised bed. Try to avoid locations where peonies have been grown before. Planting The best time to plant peonies is in early fall — September and October are ideal. If planted in the spring, they may not bloom for a year or two. Purchase divisions containing 3 to 4 “eyes”; divisions with only one or two eyes normally take 3 to 5 years to flower. Be sure the divisions are free from rot when they are planted. Trim away any soft spots with a sharp knife. Dig a hole 12 to 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide, spacing holes 3 to 4 feet apart. Incorporate a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic matter such as compost, pine bark, or well- Siw«- ***!} North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCES