How and when to plant peonies

Peony planting time

It is best to plant peonies in mid-April in spring. Site selection is the key to planting peonies. Peonies are not suitable for planting in saline-alkali land. Loose, fertile, organic-rich, and well-drained sandy loam should be selected to plant peony seedlings.

The summer planting time for peonies is from June to July. The temperature is relatively high in summer. Peonies are not resistant to strong light and high temperatures, and need to avoid direct sunlight. Shade nets and other methods can be used to provide shade.

The planting time of peony in autumn is from August to September of the lunar calendar, and can be postponed to early October of the lunar calendar at the latest. When planting peony seedlings, it is especially important to avoid stagnant water, otherwise the roots of the peony seedlings will rot and die.

Peonies can also be planted in winter, usually in mid-to-late November. Peonies like fertilizer, so when planting, you can mix fully decomposed farmyard manure and cake fertilizer evenly with the soil and set aside.

How to plant peony

1. Soil: Peonies will grow vigorously in suitable soil. They are suitable for planting in loose, fertile, organic-rich, and well-drained sandy loam.

2. Base fertilizer: Peonies like fertilizer, so sufficient base fertilizer needs to be applied when planting. You can choose fermented farmyard manure or cake fertilizer, mix it evenly with the soil and set aside.

3. Planting: Before planting peonies, dig a seedling pit of appropriate depth according to the size of the seedlings, put the seedlings into the seedling pit, straighten them and then fill them with soil. The soil should be buried until it is level with the top of the seedling roots. The soil should be compacted, otherwise the peony seedlings will not be in good contact with the soil and the seedlings will die.

4. Watering: After the peony seedlings are planted, they can be watered once to help them take root. Be sure to water them thoroughly. Generally, no watering is required in winter. In other seasons, just don't water unless the soil is dry.

5. Top dressing: No top dressing is required in the first year after the peony is planted. Starting from the second year, top dressing should be applied at least three times a year: fertilizer before flowering, fertilizer after flowering, and fertilizer for wintering.

6. Pruning: Peonies grow fast and require good pruning. Dead branches, injured branches, diseased branches and excess side branches can be cut off around the spring equinox.