The peony is the most luscious and sensuous of flowers, with bursts of reds, whites, yellows and pinks beginning in
mid-Spring.

There are three types of peonies. The most common is the herbaceous, which grow to about two feet tall, with milky stems. Tree peonies are quite sensational, as they can have as many as one hundred flowers at once, reaching heights four to seven feet tall. The newest variety of peony, the Itoh or intersectional hybrid peonies, are a cross between the herbaceous and tree peonies, and grow up to three-and-a-half feet tall. They bloom longer than the herbaceous and have been bred to offer exotic shades of lavender, copper, and cream.

The Pacific Northwest is ideal for growing peonies because of the weather. They need some cold for bud formation and should remain in the ground over winter. If they are properly planted and become established they can live as long as a century, requiring little maintenance.

Ideal planting conditions

Peony tubers, which are three to four inches wide, grow well in sun to partial-sun. Be sure your tree peony has only partial sun and is protected from the wind to prevent loss of flower petals. Choose your location well, because none of these varieties like to be moved. Note that tubers are unlikely to bloom the first year as they haven’t yet had the cool winter needed to form buds.

For all three varieties, loamy soil is best. If your soil is clay-like, it should be amended with compost and other organic
matter to lighten it. Dig a hole about two feet wide and four inches deep to allow for amendments. A handful of bone meal helps give the plant a good start. Mix it in with compost in the bottom of the hole before placing the plant inside.

Good drainage is a must. Plant the peony on a mound if pooling water could be a problem. When placing the tuber, the eyes should be facing upward, no more than two inches below the surface. Tree peonies are woody with a strong root system. They require a 12- to 18-inch-deep hole that is 18- to 24-inches in diameter. It should be at least eight feet from other trees. These take time to establish foliage, and a bit more to bloom, so it may be a year or two before they show
themselves.

Don’t worry or fuss over your peonies, because they thrive on neglect. Leave them alone, but label their location so you don’t forget and plant over them. Remember they need the cold winters and shouldn’t be disturbed. Do plant around them for other seasons, but not too close.

Once peonies begin to bloom you will never forget where you placed them! The blooms are so magnificent, they nod under their own weight and need a little help. It’s best to provide support before they reach a height and weight that bends them over. A good solution is a wire ring support with three movable stakes: the stems can be gently fitted through the ring and the stakes spaced around the plant for support. Early intervention is good. If the stakes are driven deeply into the soil, they can be raised as the plant grows taller. Peonies that are gracefully touching the ground can be cut for a vase to lighten the plant’s load. Plastic plant tape and stakes can also be used to secure the stems, but it’s less effective. Itoh and tree peonies have pencil thick stems that can easily support heavy buds and don’t require support.

Little feeding is needed, and then only once after the blooms fade, and only sparingly. Blossoms should be cut to the top
of a strong leaf, below the fresh flowers and buds. The foliage will continue to be green and purple for a delightful backdrop for the rest of your garden through much of the summer. As the flowers wilt, they should be cut to the ground, but not until the plant has lost its green and thus it’s ability to feed the tuber below the soil. When mulching the bed, do not cover the remaining stem as it could invite stem rot and other disease, although these plants are generally very hardy. They are truly one of Mother Nature’s bountiful beauties.

Perennials, vegetables, and herb starts can be found at the Snohomish County MG Annual Plant Sale Saturday, May 7, 9am to 2 pm at McCollum Park.