Caring for Tubers and Planting Peony Plants

The peony is quite hardy and will survive in severe climates. Cool winters and sunny open growing conditions are needed for the plant to thrive. They have a winter chilling requirement before they will break dormancy and are therefore not suited to warmer areas in the North Island that do not have regular frosts in the winter.

Planting

• Best time to plant: Autumn, before frosts begin
• You can delay planting without harming the tubers. As long as they are not allowed to dry out they can be stored. Still best to plant as soon as possible
• Sunny, well drained sites are best. Peonies do not like wet feet
• Give consideration to surrounding plants that may compete with your peonies as they grow
• Ideally you should allow one square metre per plant
• Maintain regular watering over the first year until the roots are well established

Ongoing Care of Peony Plants

• Use garden fertilisers such as blood and bone, potato fertiliser or nitrophoska blue
• Manure can be used if well rotted; do not put over the crown of the plant
• Autumn is a good time to apply fertiliser, spring can also be used
• Cut off at ground level in autumn and burn tops
• Keep weed free to reduce competition and allow good air movement for healthy plants
• Some taller plants with double flowers may need support – use wire hoops. Put in the ground after the buds come through. The shoots will grow through them and are virtually invisible once the leaves spread out
• The peony will grow better with regular watering especially up until flowering

What to Expect from your Plant

• Not all plants flower in the first year. At Omeo we cut off any buds that appear in the first year to encourage root development (not essential)
• As the roots do not have a lot of reserve in the first year,the stems will not reach their full potential height
• A lot is happening below the ground in this first year so do not worry if the above ground activity is disappointing!
• The plant will continue to increase in size and vigour over the next 3-4 years
• The plant is mature in year three and the flowers can be picked
• Never pick all the flowers as a good volume of leaf is needed to build reserves for the following year. At Omeo we leave a minimum of 5 flowers per plant
• While the peony is drought tolerant it will not grow well without adequate water

If you have any queries about the performance of your plants purchased from Omeo, please contact us and we are happy to help.