How to plant and care for peonies?

Peony , known as the king of flowers, is famous for its luxury and elegance, and attracts many gardening enthusiasts to try to cultivate it every year. Peony is often seen as a symbol of prosperity and wealth, and its unique temperament makes other flowers often pale in comparison. So how to plant and care for peonies?

1. Site selection

Peony prefers a cool environment and avoids high temperature and humidity. The ideal growth temperature is 12-15℃. Choose a semi-shaded location while ensuring adequate sunlight. You should choose a location with higher terrain and good drainage, and avoid low-lying and humid areas. The soil should be deep, loose, fertile sandy loam, and avoid saline-alkali soil and clay. Peony has a well-developed root system and requires deep soil. It likes crop rotation and avoids repeated cropping.

2. Seedling selection

Make sure you have the correct variety. Choose seedlings with vigorous growth, thick stems, full buds and well-developed root systems. Check whether the grafted site of the grafted seedlings is well healed and whether the root system of the division seedlings is intact. Seedlings should be free from diseases and insect pests.

3. Planting

The planting period is usually in late September to mid-October in autumn, and spring division should be avoided. Adjust the diameter and depth of the pits according to the size of the plants and maintain appropriate pit spacing. When digging a hole, pay attention to separating the topsoil from the subsoil to facilitate mixing of fertilizer . Pay attention to the root distribution when planting, and tamp the soil after filling to ensure that the seedlings are level with the ground.

4. Maintenance and management

Watering: Make sure to water thoroughly when first planting, adjust watering time according to the season, water in spring to help the plants grow green again, control watering in summer, and reduce watering in autumn to prevent fall growth.

Top dressing: Avoid top dressing in the year of planting, and apply it three times a year thereafter, in spring, after flowering, and in winter.

Intertillage and weeding: Regular intertillage and weeding can keep the soil aerated and prevent weeds from competing for nutrients.

Shaping and pruning: Through operations such as fixing the trunk, budding, and picking buds, the plant's shape is kept balanced, ventilation and light transmission are promoted, and nutrients are concentrated.

The above is an introduction to the key points of planting and maintenance of peonies. Through these careful cultivation and maintenance measures, peonies can thrive in the garden and show their luxurious style.