Peonies - also known as peonies - are among the most beautiful in the home garden. From planting the peonies to cutting them - find out everything here.
A peony (botanical: Paeonia) can impress the owner in many ways - be it in the garden as a beautiful perennial or as a shrub with a lush bloom, which is also excellent able to smell. The possibility of placing this plant in the vase on the living room table makes it even more attractive. If you are well informed about the many different aspects of the peony, you can help it to flower beautifully with appropriate care. This requires some dedication and patience, but the result is worth it.
Peonies: Properties, Origin & Importance
The plant family Paeoniaceae only includes a single genus with about 32 species, which have different flower colors and shapes. These are divided into two separate groups: tree peonies and perennial peonies. The former come from the mountains of China, while herbaceous peonies are native to China as well as Europe, North Africa and America. Its name dates back to Greek mythology and is derived from the physician of the Olympian gods, Paion, as this plant was widely used for medicinal purposes in ancient times.
Peony: growth forms
The important thing about the peony genus is that there are two growth forms. Since both can differ in terms of growth, care and requirements, this is crucial for a satisfactory planning implementation.
- Perennial Peonies
These do not form woody shoots and, like other perennials, let the above-ground parts of the plant die off in autumn. In addition, the growth height and width can deviate from those of the tree peony. - Tree Peonies
These peonies have woody shoots and are therefore similar to the classic shrub. However, the space required by a shrub peony is often much larger than that of oneperennial peony. In terms of flower shape and colour, there are no major differences as there are a large number of different cultivars.
Peonies in bloom
The flowering period in Central Europe extends from April to June. Just before flowering, the flower buds swell to the size of golf balls, before each bloom continues to delight gardeners with their blaze of color for about two weeks.
Peonies: The most popular & most beautiful varieties
There is a wide range of species and cultivars in the genus Paeonia. The varieties of the peonies listed below are first arranged according to their flower colour. For detailed descriptions of these and many other types and varieties, you can find our expert article on the best peony varieties here. This contains both a detailed overview and attractive pictures of each plant.
Propagate peonies yourself
If you want to propagate peonies yourself, you can do this in two different ways: vegetatively or generatively. In vegetative propagation, the rootstocks of the mother plant are divided and replanted separately. During generative propagation, on the other hand, the mature seeds are sown and used to create new specimens. In both approaches, there are relevant differences between perennial and shrub peonies in terms of dividing and planting. The two different types of propagation also each have advantages and disadvantages. This topic, but also many other useful facts about the propagation of peonies are explained in detail here in our special article.
Planting Peonies
In order for the peony to come into its own with all its advantages, a good knowledge of its preferences in terms of location is immensely important. If this deviates significantly from its natural location, the peony (no matter what type or variety) will always struggle and never be able to develop its full potential.
Planting peonies: the right location
A peony should not be located in full day sun nor in full day shade. A place where the plant gets half a day's sun is ideal. The soil should be light and not at risk of waterlogging.
Since there are other important tips, details and important differences between shrub and perennial peonies, we have dedicated a separate article to this topic.
Planting peonies: when is the ideal time?
A simple rule here is to give preference to autumn. The purchased plants are delivered bare-rooted and this also ensures that the correct planting depth is maintained. In addition, planting at this time does not pose as much potential for danger as in spring, when the specimen has already formed its first sensitive shoots.
Planting peonies: The procedure
Even before the spade touches the ground, it is important to give some thought to the upcoming work steps. These steps are briefly mentioned below:
- Choose the right location in terms of space, light and soil conditions
- Dig planting hole
- if necessary Prepare existing soil for nutrients and drainage
- Note the correct planting depth (caution: differences between shrub and perennial peonies)
You can find more details about the individual steps involved in planting the peonies here in our special article.
Peonies in a pot
With this variant, it is important to remember that the peonies in the pot can only look good for a short time. After a vegetation period, you should therefore consider reserving a spot in your own garden for the plants, otherwise root growth will very quickly reach its limits due to the narrowness of the pot.
Peonies in pots: the right substrate
The planting medium has properties similar to the natural soil in which peonies thrive. Therefore, the same applies here: Waterlogging is deadly. You should therefore ensure that the drainage inside the pot works properly. Apart from that, a peat-free organic soil like our Plantura organic potting soil is ideal for the peony.
Transplanting peonies
Everything that grows and thrives has ever greater demands on light, water, nutrients and space. Changes such as competition or footpaths in the environment also have a major impact on the plants at their location. External factors can be, for example, people walking by who cause damagecause, which in turn can lead to infections. In this case, it should be considered to transplant the plant to a new location.
Peonies: why transplant?
In most cases, the need to transplant results from the lack of space, which occurs when the peony grows significantly larger than originally planned. Other reasons could be lack of light or water, for example due to surrounding plants that have also grown very large. This can be seen when the peony loses its willingness to bloom with each passing year or when it has to be watered conspicuously often despite the damp weather.
Peonies: how to transplant?
Here is a summary of the most important steps for digging up and replanting the peonies.
- Dig up the peony carefully
- Remove root areas from soil with water
- Cut away dried root parts
- Choose correct new location
- Dig the planting hole and possibly prepare the soil
- Planting peonies at a new location
You can also read our article on transplanting peonies for helpful tips on exactly how to follow these steps.
Fertilize peonies
Peonies offer such great potential for adding value to your garden that it would almost be a shame not to take advantage of it. And this is not only possible for experts, but can also be successfully managed by hobby gardeners, provided they take a few facts about correct fertilizing to heart.
Fertilize peonies: when and how often to fertilize?
If you want to develop the mentioned potential of the peony, this probably has its (nutrient) price. Everyone would certainly think so at first, but the plants are already satisfied with just a few doses of fertilizer. The important factor here is the right time of fertilization. This falls in spring in March and then again in August.
Fertilize peonies: which fertilizer is suitable?
Since the peony is one of those plants that are already satisfied with fewer nutrients, it is advisable not to use a rich mineral liquid fertilizer. A primarily organic long-term fertilizer like our Plantura organic flower fertilizer is the best option for plants and the environment.
You can find out how to optimally supply your peonies with nutrients here in our expert article on fertilizing peonies.
Pruning peonies
By cutting it is possible to change the shape of the plant or to create new growth stimuli. There are different cutting measures. Each one has its specific purpose as well as its optimal timing.
Pruning peonies: the ideal time
Pruning season for peonies is between summer and winter. The exact time depends on the type of cut and is therefore between June and December.
Pruning peonies: procedure
The different approaches to care and pruning vary depending on whether dead plant parts are to be removed or pruning is to be carried out at ground level. Although the latter is quite rare, it can be an advantage if the peony's growth is very stunted. In addition, the pruning methods of perennial peonies differ from those of tree peonies, which must be observed in any case.
You can find more tips for the perfect pruning of your peonies here.
Peonies in the vase
Like many other plants, peonies can be used as cut flowers for decoration. With its attractive flower shapes and colors, this plant can greatly enrich life in your own four walls. The most important thing when cutting the peony is to use a sharp cutting tool, because the stalks in particular can be crushed very quickly with a blunt tool and the cut will be messy.
Read more about when to harvest the flower stalks and other tips for peonies in a vase.
Peonies poisonous?
The use of the peony as a medicinal plant already suggests that there are substances within the peony that can have certain effects in the human body.
You can find out what "Paeonin" and "Peregrenin" are all about and how you can protect yourself from unpleasant consequences in this article.