peony

[mkiernan]

tips for peony

[Clanad]

In the U.S. they are also known as Graveyard bush since they are often planted in cemeteries.  They are low maintenance shrubs.  In the spring, just as the new spikes begin to show, drive a stake of some sort (I use a green plastic covered metal stake used to vine tomatoes) into the middle of the plant.  As it grows I then use a degradable twine to keep it tied in the upright position.  They get very top heavy and the flowers droop otherwise.  They seem to be healthier as well.  Once every two or three years, dig up part of the plant to keep it a manageable size.  They transplant very readily...

[jake-the-peg]

Interested to hear Clanad say Poenies can be transplanted easily. I have always heard (and found) that they have a real tendency to sulk and not flower for a year or so after moving. Maybe it's different conditions in the US. If you do move them they don't like being planted too deep.

They're quite hardy (apart from tree peonies that are quite tender - I'll be bubble wrapping my tree poeny shortly)

They can suffer from something called poeny wilt which is a fungus (see here: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0600/peony_wilt.asp

You might also find the following link of interest:

http://www.peonysociety.org.uk/

[Clanad]

jake is correct re; the blooming of transplanted peonies.  They almost never bloom the first spring after transplant.  Usually by the second year they do well.  One of the errors, I've discovered, in transplanting the bush is not to go too deep with the transplanted root system.  Not more than 2 inches or so is all that's necessary.  Choose a sunny, well drained area... By the way, this is the time of the year to transplant them...