Anywhere and any color, Peonies are amazing to add to a gardening bed and are stunning at this time of the year! Here are some tips to help you determine where to plant yours and how to care for them.
1. They love mostly sunny locations and appreciate some late afternoon shade.
2. They do not like "wet feet" (wet roots); they need to be planted in well-draining, fertile soil.
3. There are many different varieties! Some bloom in mid-spring, some in late spring. If you love them (and of course you do or you wouldn't be reading this!) and want to extend your enjoyment of them, plant different varieties that bloom at different times.
4. Choose varieties well-suited to Zone 6b/7a. The varieties we offer grow well in our climate. We currently are low on our stock, but please call us at 615-468-2008 to find out specific availability for peonies.
5. Know it can take 3 years or so for them to bloom. Once you plant them, keep them where they are. By year 3 or 4, you ought to be getting blooms as the plant has become very established, and it will produce more blooms year after year.
6. Fertilize your peonies in late winter/ early spring. Fertilize with a 10-10-10 fertilizer or a light layer of compost.
7. Why are there ants on my peonies? It's a good sign so do not spray for them! Ants are drawn to the sweet nectar-like sap the bud produces. They do not harm peonies at all, so our advice is to simply let them be!