Planting peonies: location, timing & instructions

In order for the peony to develop its full beauty in early summer, it is important to be meticulous when planting. We'll show you how to do it right.

Would you like to become the queen of the ornamental plants Peony (Paeonia), into the garden, then it is important to prepare your move well. This plant is actually known for its uncomplicated care. However, a good foundation should be a prerequisite for everything to flourish in later years.
Regardless of whether you have chosen a perennial, shrub or hybrid peony - first of all the right location is decisive. If you still have trouble choosing the right peony, you will find all the information about the most beautiful ones here Peony varieties and species.

When to plant peonies

Peonies should be planted in the fall. The plants then have enough time to take root before winter. Planting in autumn also increases the chance of receiving the first flowers in the following year.
If you were to plant or transplant in the spring, there is a risk that these will then form delicate shoots would be injured and the peony would suffer development-inhibiting damage would.

Planting peonies: the right location

Peonies need a sufficiently large and "quiet" location. Once the plants have been planted, they shouldn't be moved again - they don't like moving around at all. Often it even takes a few years before the peonies are in full bloom again. Therefore, you should think a little longer when choosing the location.

If you still have your Transplant peony want, we have summarized everything important here.

Above all, the space should be large, as the shrub peonies, for example, take up to 1.3 m in length and width. The perennial plants also like to have enough space to unfold - 60 x 60 cm are required here. One should also note that the peony, as the peony is also called, can reach a height of up to 1.80 m and more. It is best to choose a place that has not previously been occupied by a peony. However, if a peony previously lived in the selected place, it is advisable to generously exchange the earth, so that there are enough nutrients for the new plant right from the start and no diseases left in the soil on it overlap.

The ideal soil should be loose and permeable so that no waterlogging occurs. Peonies are deep-rooted and don't grow very quickly. That is why it promotes their development if there are no plants in the vicinity with strong root growth, such as for example Forsythia. The peonies, whether as a perennial or a shrub, love the sun. At lunchtime, however, it can get a little partially shaded, otherwise the heat doesn't bother you. And if the place is also a little sheltered from the wind, then it offers ideal conditions to welcome a peony into your garden.

Procedure for planting peonies

The planting hole should be around 35 to 40 cm in diameter on average, depending on the size of the plant ball. The depth can be based on the height of the pot in which the plant was delivered. However, if a drainage layer made of a layer of clay granulate has to be inserted because of the required soil permeability, then the excavation should be 10 cm deeper

Please do not mix compost soil into the planting hole, otherwise the peony would have too much organic matter available and this is not good for the plant. As with waterlogging, it would then be much more susceptible to fungal diseases. Peonies love well drained, loose soils. A slightly humus-enriched, loamy soil is ideal.
In the first year they need little or no additional fertilization. You can find out how they are ideally cared for afterwards in our article on Fertilizing peonies.

When planting the peony, a distinction should be made between shrub and perennial plants. Shrub peonies are planted 12 to 15 cm deep, with the tip of the trunk protruding from the top. The excavation is filled up again and carefully pressed down.
The root ball of the herbaceous peonies is only 3 to 5 cm deep underground. Again, lightly press down on the filled floor.
Please make sure to leave enough space between the individual plants. The shrub peony needs up to 130 cm in width in order to be able to unfold optimally - the perennial peony after all 60 cm.

Last but not least, the freshly planted peony needs to be watered well. It does form deep roots and can later do well for a long time without regular water supply survive until that happens, however, it takes a good year in which they are regularly watered should be. Even in later years, it should always be well supplied with water during the flowering period and during long periods of drought.

Caring for a peony after planting: this is how it continues

Even if the peony is very frugal, it also needs a little care over the course of the year. In the following, we will reveal how you can optimally care for your plant.

Peonyn hibernate

If one or more peonies have found their way into your garden, then these plants should be protected from the onset of their first winter outdoors, even though they are actually hardy will. Because the first winter is always a special challenge for a young plant. It is therefore advisable to cover the fresh seedlings with leaves and sticks. In later years, the shrub peony in particular should be protected from kinking due to heavy snow loads by tying the branches with a sturdy rope.

Peonies cut

Depending on the type of peony, a separate procedure should be followed when cutting: The Perennial Peonies Like other perennials, they are cut off at ground level in autumn. To provide ideal winter protection for the shoot buds, which are particularly close to the surface offer, the dried leaves can also be used as insulation for the root stock until spring permit. Then, however, you have to proceed very carefully so as not to injure the shoots that may already be pushing when cutting.

the Shrub peonies usually do not need any pruning at all. This is only necessary if the branching is not progressing well and needs to be stimulated by pruning. If the main shoots are damaged, scissors can of course also be used.

the Hybrid intersectional peonies are cut back to just above the ground, similar to the perennial peonies. Only the approximately 10 cm high woody stems remain.

If you want to learn more about the care of Peonies in the vase you can read on in our special article here.