Peonies

Peonies are not native but rather trace their roots from the Mediterranean to Asia. There are about 40 species and they grow in all types of conditions. Peonies are generally divided into two groups: herbaceous and woody (or "tree"). They share many of the same characteristics. They both have beautiful flowers, are long lasting and hardy (zones 3-7). They depend on the cold to set a good show of spectacular blooms. They don't like to be moved, so select a final site with care. Many are very fragrant and are superb as cut flowers. The deer question pops up again. There are believers and non believers. This writer has observed over many years that peonies are left untouched in an area where deer grazed each night. I recently read in Fine Gardening that peonies are believed to be poisonous to deer. The care and feeding of the two types of peonies is a little different so they are considered separately is this article.

Herbaceous Peonies

Most of our herbaceous peonies are derived from the Chinese peony, Paeonia lactifolia. The popular 'Festiva Maima' is one of the early (1851) cultivars. The availability of new colors and type of bloom increases with each season.

Blooms may be: single (single row of petals), semi double (wide petals, stamens mixed in with petals), double (multiple rows of petals), Japanese or anemone type (double row of petals with light airy center), and bomb type (a ball like center of petal like stamens).

Site Selection. Choose a sunny (six hours) well drained spot well away from competing tree or shrub roots. Consider that after flowering the foliage mass can be a backdrop for annuals or "knee coverage" of tall perennials such as New England asters.

Planting. Plant bare root specimens in the fall so roots may have time to become establish. Dig a hole about two feet across and at least 18" deep. Mix several shovels of compost or well rotted manure with the bottom soil. Fill the hole 1/2 way with topsoil mixed with more compost and a cup of bone meal. If soil is acidic also mix in a cup of ground limestone as peonies thrive in a pH between 6.5 and 7. "Eyes" should be at a depth of 1-2 inches. Tap gently (protecting the eye buds) to eliminate air spaces and water, gently please. Finally add light mulch. Don't expect too much the first year.

Staking. The large flower heads can cause droopy plants. Staking rings or cement reinforcement wires cut to height and width to circle plants are used prop up the stems.

Deadheading spent blooms is recommended to improve look, prevent disease and to prevent the diversion of the plan's energy to seed formation.

Fertilizing should not be over done. Apply bone meal or other low nitrogen, complete, slow release fertilizer once a year after flowering (and deadheading.) This is the time of "eye" formation.

Propagation is done by seeds or division. Late summer or early fall is the best time to divide a plant. Each new section should have 3-5 "eyes" Always use clean tools. Plant as above. Try seeds only if you have a great deal of patience.

Fall clean-up is essential. Cut stems after frost and discard them in the trash, not your compost pile.

Diseases include Botrytis, viruses, mildew, leaf spot, and Japanese beetles. Cut away any diseased parts below the infection and discard properly. Remember good housekeeping and good air circulation are essential to disease free plants! .

Mulch in winter to prevent heaving but never heavily cover the area of the eyes. Mulch in summer to keep weeds away and the roots cool.

Some herbaceous peonies species. .

P. lactifolia: The Chinese peony originates from Tibet into Siberia. It is one of the hardiest of all. Its large white flowers with golden stamens bloom in mid spring.

P. mlokosewitschii (muh-law-ko-zuh-VEE-chee-eye) blooms late spring with yellow flowers and grayish green leaves. Sapphire blue seeds in a scarlet lined case extends this plant's interest longer than it's short blooming time.

P. wittmanniana. Thrives in light shade and open meadows with flowers of light yellow with rusty red pistils and showy fruit.

P. tenuifolia (fringe peony) 15 inch mounds of finely fretted leaves. 'Plena' is the double form and more available. Red to purple flowers are the earliest to bloom (late April-Early May.)

Cultivars and Varieties

Hybridizers have been busy selecting and growing many new plants. Look on the web (some addresses below) to see the variety. By planting early, midseason, and late varieties you can extent your peony blooms for several months. Please note some of these plants, like hostas can be very expensive but always remember the years of work (filled with triumphs and disappointments) that have gone into growing these exquisite flowers. The up side is that each year the price of last year's "new" selections goes down.

Fine Gardening reports 'White Innocence' a pure white single bloom 5' tall. Wow!

Tree Peonies

TREE Peonies are only be found in Tibet and China. Research in their native habitat has been very limited by geography and politics. Most all are named P. suffruticosa, but others exist. There is a species, P. rockii, which has immense flowers on 5 foot stems with many rows of pure white petals with burgundy red at the base.

Cultural requirements are much the same as herbaceous peonies with the following exceptions.

Site. Remember this will be a big plant (read plant description carefully) so give it room to grow. Good drainage is a must.

Light: Try to copy their natural surroundings: high shade protection from afternoon sun a low shade to protect the roots but most will tolerate full sun to part shade. Protection is needed from strong winds.

Planting. Plant as early in the growing season as possible so it can establish itself before fall. . Prepare a hole 3' wide and 18 " deep. They like "friable" soil so add organic matter and bone meal. Most tree peonies come in pots. Plant so that the soil in the pot is even with the ground... Song Sparrow Nursery notes "The graft of the woody stem (scion) and the root (under stock) is very sensitive. The graft should be well below the soil line so the Tree Peony can eventually develop its own root system."

Fertilizing Every fall add up to a pound of bone meal. A slow release high phosphorus fertilizer can be added to the top of soil below foliage during growing season, but organic matter it the most important element in keeping your Tree Peony happy.

Propagation. It takes 3-4 years to bloom. Leave it to the professionals.

Sources for Peonies:

Adelman Peony Gardens, Salem, Oregon

(www.peonyparadise.com)

Hollingshead Nursery, Maryville, MO (www.hollingsworthpeonies.com)

Nicholls Garden, Gainesville, VA (703-754-9623)

(http://www.nichollsgardens.com)

Song Sparrow Farm, Avalon, WI (Roy Klem) (http://www.songsparrow.com/)

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