Peonies need a little fuss when planting and will be enjoyed for many years to come. There is much information available online on peony care.  It is overwhelming, but it is not.  Follow these steps in the tutorial. You will be rewarded with an abundance of peonies year after year. They offer irresistible fragrant beauty.  Peonies are perennial and don’t need to be divided.  They can stay in one spot for decades.  This can be 50 years.  Planted correctly once enjoyed for many upcoming years. Many people remember grandma’s huge bushes of peonies.  That’s right, Grandma planted them when she was your age, and they are mature plants now. Peonies bloom from late spring to early summer.  They prefer a cold climate over a warm climate.  Peonies thrive in regions with cold winters.

Herbaceous peonies are my favorite cut flowers. I have many types of peonies in my garden.  My favorites are herbaceous peonies: Sarah Bernhardt and Festiva Maxima. 

Growing peonies is a rewarding experience for any gardener. Known for their large, lush blooms and long lifespan, peonies are relatively low-maintenance once established. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to grow peonies successfully:

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1. Choosing your Type of Peony

The first step is to choose from the three main types of peonies:

• Herbaceous Peony: Dies back to the ground each winter and returns in spring. Types include Sarah Bernhardt, Festiva Maxima. Most herbaceous peonies need support at full bloom due to fragile peony stems.  Herbaceous types are the most common and most popular varieties of peonies.
• Tree Peonies: Woody shrubs that lose their leaves but keep above-ground stems.
• Itoh or Intersectional Peonies: Hybrids between herbaceous and tree peonies, offering the best of both. Itoh peonies bloom longer and don’t need any staking. 

Herbaceous and Itoh peonies are the most common and easiest for the beginners.

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2. Selecting the Best Location is Mandatory

Peonies prefer:

• Full Sun: Peonies mandate plenty of sun to give you plenty of showy blooms.  Peonies need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.  The best advice is for peonies to receive the first 6 hours of sun in the morning.  Afternoon partial shade is ideal for peony bushes. 
• Well-Drained Soil: Avoid soggy or clay-heavy soil. Raised beds or amended soil with compost and sand improve drainage.
• Good Air Circulation: Reduces the chance of fungal diseases. Don’t plant peonies in the middle of a cottage garden.  Rowdiness promotes fungal disease.  Peonies are to be planted independently.  Rowdiness is choking peonies. Also, rowdiness competes for nutrients.

Avoid planting near large trees or shrubs, which can compete for nutrients and water.

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3. Planting Peonies Correctly for the Next Spring bloom

When to Plant:

• Fall is the best time to plant peonies, typically from August to late October.

How to Plant:

1. Dig a Hole: About 12–18 inches deep and wide.
2. Prepare the Soil: Mix in compost or well-rotted manure.
3. Place the Root: For herbaceous and Itoh peonies, the eyes (small pink buds) should be at a shallow depth. They should be no more than 1–2 inches below the surface. Planting too deep can prevent blooming. Bare roots should be placed almost on the soil surface and covered with one inch of soil. 
4. Water Thoroughly: Water well after planting to settle the soil.

Tree peonies should be planted slightly deeper. The graft union should be about 4–6 inches below the surface. This encourages strong root growth from the tree peony itself.

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4. Caring for Peonies

Watering:

• Deep, infrequent watering is better than frequent, shallow watering. Try for about 1 inch of water per week, especially during hot dry days. Watering peonies is essential. Pay close attention during the time of new eye development right after they are done blooming. Continue watering throughout the summer during dry weeks.

Fertilizing:

• Apply a balanced fertilizer at the base of the plant. Use a 10-10-10 type in early spring. Do this when new sprouts are above the ground.  Refrain from over-fertilizing, which can reduce flowering.

Mulching:

• Mulch in late fall to protect roots from extreme cold. Remove in early spring to prevent rot and to promote sun contact with the roots.

Staking:

• Use peony rings or plant supports for large-flowered varieties to keep blooms upright, especially during rain.

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5. Pruning and Maintenance

Herbaceous Peonies:

• Cut stems back to the ground after the first hard frost in the fall.

Tree Peonies:

• Prune lightly after flowering to shape the plant and remove dead wood.

Itoh Peonies:

• Remove dead foliage in fall and trim back stems to near ground level in early spring.

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6. Dealing with Common Problems

• Botrytis Blight: A common fungal disease. Guarantee good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and remove infected plant parts.
• Ants on Buds: Ants are attracted to the nectar but do not harm the plant.
• Failure to Bloom: Common causes include planting too deeply, inadequate sunlight, or immature young plants. Peonies can take 2–3 years to bloom after planting.

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7. Dividing and Transplanting

Peonies rarely need dividing, but if you must move or divide them:

• Do so in the fall, once foliage has died back.
• Use a sharp knife to divide roots, ensuring each section has 3–5 eyes.
• Replant right away, after standard planting guidelines.
  Peony roots should never be left in the open air. Dehydrated roots do not bloom the next spring. Put peonies in the ground right away, and water them after planting.
  If your peonies came in a shipment with special mulch. Please leave them in the mulch until you are ready to plant bare-root peonies in the ground.

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8. Long-Term Proper Care and Enjoyment

Peonies are incredibly long-lived, with some plants thriving for over 50 years. They’re a great investment for gardeners looking to add lasting beauty to their landscape. Once established, they need minimal attention beyond seasonal cleanup and occasional fertilizing.

By adhering to these steps, you’ll enjoy years of gorgeous blooms and healthy plants. Peonies will test your patience early on, but their stunning flowers and resilience make them worth the wait.

Extra TIPS:

Plant peonies on east side of house to guarantee morning sun.

Peony flowers are best as cut flowers. Foliage to be left on the plant can be a signature landscape piece 

To enjoy peonies longer, bring them inside when the flower buds are soft

Peonies not bloom the first year, but in the next spring. 

Planted peony seeds will take up to 6 years to bloom