Planting Herbaceous Peonies

Learn how to plant herbaceous peonies from La Pivoinerie D'Aoust peony nursery in Hudson, QC. www.paeonia.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• peony
• peonies
• planting
• nursery
• pivoinerie
• d'aoust
• hudson
• QC

[foreseengust]

I just bought some peony tubers...it sounds like I'm really late in the game for this year since it's already may. Do you think it is still possible to grow and have blooms if the tubers (or whatever they are called) are planted mid may?

[pivoinerie]

Bare root peonies purchased in the spring have spent the winter in cold storage and are likely showing signs of top growth by the time they are available for purchase. They should be planted immediately. Top growth without the benefit of a functioning root system i.e. in contact with soil and moisture creates a stressed plant. Peonies however are tough and can recover given good growing conditions. Bare root fall planting avoids such stress and gets the plant off to a better start.

[foreseengust]

@pivoinerie Thanks for such a prompt response! I have another question for you. I have been searching all over to find how many days a peonie-plant blooms for, I only see "late spring to early summer". What does that mean? How many days or weeks is that?

thanks again.

[pivoinerie]

Any given peony is in bloom for between 5 - 10 days. Those with sidebuds i.e. several flowers/stem are usually in bloom for longer than those with a single flower. Weather has an important impact. Hot windy weather during blooming can shorten the bloom live. In warmer areas peonies will be in bloom in April while in cold areas it may be late June. Google the Peony Bloom Date Project to learn how to select between cultivars to have a peony display for several weeks.

[mrtsherman]

This is a great video. You should have your own show on PBS!

[foreseengust]

@pivoinerie I planted some and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a tiny little bud on one of the plants yesterday! I was sure they wouldn't flower this year. I was doubtful they'd even flower next year based on what I've been reading, but it's about to flower the very first year!!!! I'm so excited!! Thanks for all the help.

[foreseengust]

by the way, this was a very helpful video, I just wish I knew this last fall.