We offer both herbaceous and woody (or tree) forms of
peonies. The most familiar garden peonies are the herbaceous types, with showy
and colorful flowers in May to June, depending upon the variety. Each blooms
for a week or more. They are cut down to the ground each fall and rise again in
the spring.
Tree peonies maintain woody stems which bear large leaves
that drop in the fall, and their flowers are enormous: often up to ten inches
across! These blossoms open and fade all too quickly, especially when grown in
afternoon sun (although they need at least ½ day of sun to bloom well.) Thanks
to the late breeder Mr. Itoh, there are also many “Itoh” or “intersectional”
hybrids now available, which have both an herbaceous and a woody parent. These
are some of the finest peonies available, with herbaceous foliage resembling
that of their woody parent. Enhanced vigor and a longer bloom period, including
varieties with yellow flowers, distinguish them from other peonies.
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| Peonies in The Mixed Border's garden |
Flowers are typically classified as Single, which have showy petals surrounding functional carpels and
golden-yellow stamens (reproductive parts); Japanese, with large outer petals and clusters of enlarged anthers
sometimes edged in yellow; Semi-double,
in which inner petals have formed within the ring of outer petals, and still
contain functional reproductive parts; and Doubles,
whose stamens and carpels have been transformed into a dense display of
petaloids surrounded by the outer petals. With the large number of varieties in
cultivation, there is often some overlap of these various forms, but I have
tried to keep it simple. The Singles and the Japanese forms will tend to remain
upright in flower, while the heavier Doubles may flop under their own weight.
Support of these types may be recommended to keep the flowers off the ground; a
subtle corset of bamboo canes and garden twine is usually enough. Peonies
usually require a couple years to get established after planting to display
their full floral qualities. Flower color can be affected by strong sun (fading
of deeper colors) or cool weather (white varieties can develop pink tones.)
Most (but not all) peonies are fragrant, with the pink or
white doubles usually your best bet for a scent that is typically rose-like. Red
peonies, though pretty in the garden, don’t always make the best cut flowers,
as their aroma isn’t always desirable. Some tree peonies are mildly
lemon-scented.
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| Peony 'Krinkled White' |
How to plant peonies:
As long as the planting site is well-chosen and
well-prepared, Peonies will live for many decades with little care. Hybrid
peonies perform best with at least a half day of full sun, and excepting tree
peonies, more is better. If given the choice, some afternoon shade can help to
reduce blooms fading in color or “going by” too quickly.
Well-drained soil is important, as areas which remain wet
for periods of time may cause their thick and fleshy roots to rot. Because they
are so long-lived, they deserve and need a planting hole that is deep and wide,
and contains a good amount of organic matter such as compost. Dig a hole at
least the size of a 5-gallon bucket and remove the soil, discarding any sand or
gravel and reserving the topsoil or loam. To that, add an equal amount of
compost (avoid all but extremely well-aged manure) and a handful of lime and
organic fertilizer. Fill the hole with this mixture, such that the plant’s soil
surface will be at (or slightly above) the soil level outside the hole. Take
care not to place soil on top of the roots, either now or at some future time,
as their flower buds will not form if planted too deeply. Mulch very lightly
with good compost or a thin layer of shredded bark, and water well.
Do not allow the plant to dry out until well-established
(usually within one year.) Peonies are drought-tolerant, but may go dormant
early and flower poorly (if at all) the next year if not kept reasonably moist
throughout the growing season. Fertilize each spring or fall with organic
fertilizer.
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| Peony 'Sorbet' |
Peony problems:
My peony doesn’t
flower. Why? Peonies planted too deeply may not flower, nor will those
grown in poor soil or shade. Keep the foliage vigorous and healthy.
Some of the leaves and
flower stems have wilted and turned brown. Botrytis is a blight disease of
peonies that happens most often when the foliage remains moist, sometimes due
to rainy weather, or because of overhead irrigation (typically from lawn
sprinklers.) Clip off the diseased parts, cleaning your clippers with rubbing
alcohol between cuts. Throw the diseased stems in the trash. If needed, an
appropriate fungicide may be applied as a preventative (but they rarely are
curative.)
