When is the best time to plant peonies?

Some friends like to grow flowers with larger varieties. Among the large- flowered flowers, peony must be mentioned. Every year when the peony is in full bloom, its beauty and elegance are irreplaceable by many other varieties of flowers. So when is the best time to plant peonies?

When is the best time to plant peonies?

The best time to plant peonies is usually in autumn, between August and October. This period is considered the best planting season because peony seeds like to germinate in a warm environment of 15-20℃, and the temperature in autumn is just within this temperature range, which is conducive to the growth of peonies. In addition, there is a folk saying that goes "Plant peonies during the autumnal equinox and they will bloom the following year", which also shows that autumn is a traditional and suitable time to plant peonies.

It should be noted that the climatic environment in different regions is different, and the planting time will also be slightly different. For example, in the southern region, due to the warmer climate, the planting time can be slightly delayed5. In the northern regions, especially the northeast, autumn from August to October is a more suitable planting time.

How to care for peonies?

1. Lighting

Peonies like sunlight, but cannot tolerate scorching sun exposure. When planting in the ground, you should choose a higher place facing east and sunny. Potted plants should be placed on an east-facing balcony with plenty of sunlight. In summer, appropriate shade is needed to avoid direct sunlight at noon.

2. Temperature

Peonies are cold-resistant but not heat-resistant. The most suitable flowering temperature is 17-20℃, but it needs to be treated with low temperature of 1-10℃ for 2-3 months before flowering. Peonies can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C, but they do not grow well in high temperature and high humidity environments and require specific environmental conditions.

3. Soil

Peonies grow best in loose, fertile, deep and well-drained soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline soil.

4. Water and fertilizer management

Water thoroughly before planting and irrigate before winter to ensure safe wintering. In spring, water appropriately according to the soil dryness and wetness to avoid waterlogging. Generally, fertilizer is applied three times a year. Quick-acting fertilizer is applied before flowering to promote flower opening, organic liquid fertilizer is applied after flowering, and base fertilizer is applied in autumn and winter to promote growth in the following spring.

5. Disease and pest control

The main pests of peonies are white grubs , red spiders and aphids, which can be controlled with corresponding pesticides . Brown spot is the main disease of peony, which can be prevented and controlled by regular spraying of Bordeaux liquid.

6. Shading

When the temperature is high in summer, the plants should be placed in a place where they can get sunlight in the morning and evening, avoiding strong sunlight at noon. When the weather cools in late summer, the sunlight exposure can be gradually increased.

7. Potting soil

When potting peonies, it is best to use loose, breathable, nutrient-rich soil. When preparing the soil, you can add leaf mold, river sand, etc. to the garden soil, mix it into nutrient soil, and then disinfect it.

To sum up, autumn is the best time to plant peonies, especially from August to October, when the climatic conditions are conducive to the growth and flowering of peonies. However, the specific planting time needs to be determined based on local climatic conditions and the characteristics of the peony variety.