The Peony

The Peony

A Guide To The Peony

Peonies are naturally found in Japan and China, where they have been valued for their attractive array of colorful flowers, and they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and styles. Several garden stores have peonies, and a considerable number of companies in fact focus on growing and hybridizing these plants, developing a striking set of cultivars to please various tastes. You may also notice the peony portrayed in several works of Asian art, where it is linked to fortune, happiness, honor and long life. Moreover, the peony has been used for Chinese medicinal purposes for decades.

The peony comes from the buttercup family, but interestingly, it doesn’t have much similarity to the buttercup. The peony grows big, attractive flowers that are usually very colorful, with leaves that may be so deeply lobed that they may appear quite lacy. Peonies can come in yellow, white, red and pink, and they generally show up in the late spring and start of summer.

Many people love peonies because they are quite attractive once they’re in full bloom, and they are classically grown in flower gardens. These cheery perennials produce a whole collection of aromatic blossoms during the late spring and their appealing, lustrous leaves emerge quite nicely in the border throughout autumn. Peonies can have some problems due to disease and insect attacks and so require continuous care once settled. The very first thing you should do is to make certain that you plant your peony properly.

Plant peonies within the months of September through to early October since these plants develop much of their roots during this point. Peonies that are planted in the spring usually reach their prime much slower compared to peonies planted during the fall. Next, select the best site for your peony plants to grow in. Choose sites with well-drained and fertile soil that receives a minimum of 6 hours of sun per day. Another thing you need to make sure of is to space your plants 3 to 4 feet apart.

Burrow a 24 by 24 inch depression for each peony. Blend 4 inches of compost and a fourth to half a cup of granulated organic fertilizer into the dug-up site. Fill up the hole and compress it down a bit or let it set for a few days. For a bareroot division, burrow a shallow opening that is about 2 to 3 inches deep with proper soil, and then sow the root clump, making certain that the eyes aren’t beyond 2 inches under the soil’s surface. When planting a potted peony, burrow a hole into the worked soil that is the depth identical to the pot’s. Set the peony, making certain to do so accurately. A tree peony should be set 4 to 6 inches under the surface of the ground.

If you plant a peony too deep, the plant will have trouble settling and may take a much longer time to bloom. Peonies also seem to not favor being disturbed or moved around too much in a year. Good preparation will give you the best looking peonies in your neighborhood.