Claire Austin Hardy Plants - how to grow peonies

(Paeonia)
Herbaceous peonies die right back during autumn, and produce new growing in spring. Peonies, produce big blowsy, fabulously 'over the top' flowers and although they bloom briefly, they bring such glamour to the garden. However they have many more attributes. There foliage is very handsome, and they are very long-lived. Once established they are easy to maintain, being extremely forgiving of neglect.
We grow around 250 different varieties. Many are the more modern (this means bred during the 1950's) hybrids with large, single or semi-double flowers in colours from brilliant poppy red, through lipstick pink and rich, almost black to soft creamy white and pure snowy white.
Others types are the more traditional. They are the sort that can be found in old gardens. Many varieties are ideal for cutting as they have long stems and will survive for up to 10 days in water. Many are scented.
With us herbaceous peonies flower from mid May through to the middle of June. In height they grow from 45cm (18in) to around 90cm (3ft) high.

Planting
Peonies need a well-drained soil. They can cope with a little shade during the day, but being plants of the open ground they prefer full sun. They need to be planted with their roots no deeper than 1in (2cm) below the soil. If they are planted deeper they may refuse to flower.

Fertilising
A little very well rotted manure can be placed around the dormant plant in winter if the ground is very deprived of nutrients, but generally they can be left undisturbed for many years.

Moving
Contrary to what has been written in the past, peonies do not mind being moved - especially if they are not divided.

Disease
Peonies can suffer from botritys especially if planted in large groups. This is a fungus and evidence of it can be found at the base of the stem or on the bud. The stem and the bud will be brown and mouldy. In these circumstances, remove the infected area and spray with a fungicide.

Failure to flower
There are three reasons why peonies fail to flower.
1. They have been planted too deeply. Remedy - lift the plant in autumn and plant with the buds no more than an inch below the surface of the soil.
2. The plant is too dry during the spring growing season. This can be recognised when the buds are tight and dry.
3. Too much shade. This can also lead to dry roots.

THE PEONY SOCIETY
If you are true enthusiast of peonies take a look at The Peony Society.


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buy herbaceous peonies planting fertilising moving diseases problems THE PEONY SOCIETY		Growing herbaceous peonies (Paeonia) Herbaceous peonies die right back during autumn, and produce new growing in spring. Peonies, produce big blowsy, fabulously 'over the top' flowers and although they bloom briefly, they bring such glamour to the garden. However they have many more attributes. There foliage is very handsome, and they are very long-lived. Once established they are easy to maintain, being extremely forgiving of neglect. We grow around 250 different varieties. Many are the more modern (this means bred during the 1950's) hybrids with large, single or semi-double flowers in colours from brilliant poppy red, through lipstick pink and rich, almost black to soft creamy white and pure snowy white. Others types are the more traditional. They are the sort that can be found in old gardens. Many varieties are ideal for cutting as they have long stems and will survive for up to 10 days in water. Many are scented. With us herbaceous peonies flower from mid May through to the middle of June. In height they grow from 45cm (18in) to around 90cm (3ft) high. Planting Peonies need a well-drained soil. They can cope with a little shade during the day, but being plants of the open ground they prefer full sun. They need to be planted with their roots no deeper than 1in (2cm) below the soil. If they are planted deeper they may refuse to flower. Fertilising A little very well rotted manure can be placed around the dormant plant in winter if the ground is very deprived of nutrients, but generally they can be left undisturbed for many years. Moving Contrary to what has been written in the past, peonies do not mind being moved - especially if they are not divided. Disease Peonies can suffer from botritys especially if planted in large groups. This is a fungus and evidence of it can be found at the base of the stem or on the bud. The stem and the bud will be brown and mouldy. In these circumstances, remove the infected area and spray with a fungicide. Failure to flower There are three reasons why peonies fail to flower. 1. They have been planted too deeply. Remedy - lift the plant in autumn and plant with the buds no more than an inch below the surface of the soil. 2. The plant is too dry during the spring growing season. This can be recognised when the buds are tight and dry. 3. Too much shade. This can also lead to dry roots. THE PEONY SOCIETY If you are true enthusiast of peonies take a look at The Peony Society.