Perennial
Herbaceous peony
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | Flowers in May | Flowers in June | ||||||||||
| Plant | Plant in September | Plant in October | Plant in November | |||||||||
| Prune | Prune in October | |||||||||||
| Looks good | Looks good in April | Looks good in May | Looks good in June | Looks good in October |
Overview
Herbaceous peonies die back to the ground each winter and return with red shoots in spring, followed by big, often scented blooms in late May and June. Once settled, a clump can live for many decades. Popular choices include the pale pink double 'Sarah Bernhardt', the white, gold-centred 'Duchesse de Nemours', and the semi-double coral 'Coral Charm'. Single and Japanese-type flowers stand up to rain better than heavy doubles.
Where to grow herbaceous peony
Choose a sunny or lightly shaded spot with fertile, well-drained soil that does not become waterlogged in winter. Peonies resent being moved, so pick a permanent position away from the roots of large shrubs and trees.
Planting
Autumn is best. Bare-root crowns should go in with the eyes, or buds, just 2.5–5 cm below the surface; on heavy soils err towards the shallower end. Container plants go in at the same level they sat in the pot. Firm in, water well and be patient: a new plant may take two or three years to flower freely.
Care through the year
Spring
Put grow-through supports or a ring of canes and twine over the shoots before they reach knee height. Scatter a general fertiliser around the crown.
Summer
Snip off faded flowers to keep plants tidy and water during prolonged dry spells.
Autumn
Cut foliage to the ground once it yellows and dispose of it, which reduces disease carried over winter.
Winter
Keep mulch away from the crown itself, as burying the buds can stop flowering.
Pruning
Beyond deadheading and the autumn cut-back, no pruning is needed. Ants on the buds are harmless; they are feeding on sugary nectar and do not need controlling.
Propagation
Divide congested or poorly flowering clumps in early autumn. Lift carefully, wash off the soil and cut the thick roots into sections with three to five eyes each, then replant at the correct shallow depth.
Common problems
Peony wilt (a botrytis disease) causes shoots to blacken and collapse; remove affected parts, improve air flow and clear foliage in autumn. Non-flowering is usually down to deep planting, too much shade, recent disturbance or a dry spell the previous summer.
Guides to the problems most likely to affect herbaceous peony:
Something else wrong? Diagnose it by symptom.
Month-by-month reminders
Jobs for this plant come round in September, October and November. Each month page lists everything else worth doing in the garden at the same time.
Related plants
Sources
Botanical names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; growing attributes were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.