Grower Tips for Garden, Intersectional, and Tree Peonies

Peonies are one of the longest lived perennials, often surviving for 50 or more years. Their large, showy blossoms are the highlight of the garden in late spring and they also make excellent cut flowers.

Garden Culture: 

Intersectional Peony

Intersectional Peonies

Intersectional peonies prefer the same culture as garden and tree peonies. Choose a permanent, sunny or partially shaded site that is not in competition with large tree roots and has rich, well-drained but heavy, neutral soil. Though they grow best in full sun, the flowers last longer in part shade. They will spend their first year getting established and will not be floriferous, but the bud count should increase each year. Do not cut plants all the way back in the fall since the lower part of the stem often carries next year’s buds. Buds will also come from underground like herbaceous peonies. 

Garden Peony

Garden Peonies

Choose a permanent, sunny or partially shaded site with rich, well-drained, neutral soil. Protection from afternoon sun and harsh winds will help to extend the life of the flowers. Newly planted peonies (2/3 eye & 3/5 eye) will spend their first year getting established and will not be floriferous. However, once established, their substantial, deep root system makes them drought tolerant.

Tree Peony

Tree Peonies

When picking a site for tree peonies, choose a permanent site that is not in competition with large tree roots and has rich, well-drained, neutral soil. Though the plants will grow best in full sun, the flowers will last longer in part shade. Allow plenty of space between plants since they can grow quite large and live 50 years or more. They will spend their first year getting established and will not be floriferous, but the bud count will increase each year. Do not cut down tree peonies in the fall since the woody stems carry next year’s flower buds.

Grower Tips:

Intersectional Peonies

The most critical aspect of planting peonies is proper planting depth. For intersectional peonies, the crown should be planted 1½ - 2 inches below soil level. If the eyes have already begun to grow, they may stick up above the soil a bit after planting the crown below soil level.

Finish size: 2-3 gallon pot

Garden Peonies

The most critical aspect of growing peonies is proper planting depth. For garden peonies, the eyes on the root should be planted to a depth of 1½ -2 inches below soil level. The lower roots may be trimmed a bit to fit in the pot. Proper planting will help to ensure a good flowering performance.

Finish size: 2-3 gallon pot

Tree Peonies

The most critical aspect of planting peonies is correct planting depth. Grafted tree peonies should be planted so that the graft union is approximately 4-6 inches below soil level. This may leave very little of the woody stem showing above ground and the roots may need to be trimmed to fit in the pot. If planted correctly, the grafted plant will develop its own roots and the plant will be more robust as a result.

Finish size: 2-3 gallon pot

Intersectional Peony

Garden Peony

Tree Peony