GardenDC Podcast Episode 61: Peonies

In this episode, we talk with Kathleen Gagan, owner of Peony's Envy, all about peonies. The plant profile is on herbaceous peonies and we share our upcoming events and local gardening news!

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Herbaceous Peonies Plant Profile

Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia sp.) are among my favorite flowers. Peonies are easy to grow and will reward you with armfuls of luscious blooms every May into June in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Once established, the only care they need is to cut back the dying foliage in autumn.

   Select a sunny, well-draining spot in your garden for your peonies. Be sure to give them space to grow as well, since this perennial grows to shrub-like proportions in a single season. Having said that, herbaceous peonies really do play well with others in your perennial borders, combining well with roses, catmint, salvias, and clematis.

   The only “trick” to herbaceous peonies is not to plant them too deep. When you get a peony root division, you will see the reddish “eyes” (new emerging plants). Plant them with the tips of the roots pointed downward and the eyes set just below the surface of the soil. Amend the planting hole with peat and then mulch it over very lightly with leaf compost. Do not add in any fertilizer.

   Herbaceous peonies are shallow-rooted, so try not to dig or bother the plants too much around their crown area. When you weed around it, just cut the nearby weeds off at the soil level.

    You may have to give the heavy blooms some staking and support, but I find that if I cut them at the bud stage to enjoy indoors often enough, I don’t have to worry about the characteristic peony flop.

   If a storm is brewing and your peonies are in full bloom, run out and cut all the blossoms that you can. A hard rain can often pummel and destroy these beautiful flowers.

    Peonies are long-lived plants. Some can last for a century or more. They are also great plants to divide and share with other flower lovers. Whether you choose an heirloom peony like ‘Festiva Maxima’ or a newer selection such as ‘Green Halo,’ a peony is a must-have addition to your garden.

Herbaceous Peonies  - You Can Grow That!

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June 2016 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine - Herbaceous Peonies, Okra, Native Clintonia, and much more...

The June 2016 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is now out.

You can view it online at: 

http://issuu.com/washingtongardener/docs/washingtongardenerjune2016

Inside this issue:

• Herbaceous Peonies: You Can Grow That!
• How to Grow Okra
• Your Monthly Garden Tasks To-do List
• Schwartz Peony Gardens at Seneca Creek State Park
• Gain More “Legroom” in the Garden
• Local Gardening Events Calendar
• Learn all about the Lily Leaf Beetle
• At Home with the Clintons (Native Clintonia)
• Future Plans for the Smithsonian Gardens
• New Photo Feature:  Local Pets in Gardens
• And much more!

Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the July 2016 issue are due by July 10.

  Subscribe to Washington Gardener Magazine today to have the monthly publication sent to your inbox as a PDF several days before it is available online. You can use the PayPal (credit card) online order form here: http://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm

Herbaceous Peonies: You Can Grow That

Herbaceous Peonies are among my favorite flowers. Peonies are easy to grow and will reward you with armfuls of luscious blooms every May-June. Once established, the only care they need is to have the old foliage cut back in fall.

Select a sunny, well-draining spot in your garden for peonies. Be sure to give them space to grow as well as this perennial grows to shrub-like proportions in a single season. Having said that, herbaceous peonies really do play well with others in your perennial borders and combine well with roses and clematis.

The only "trick" to herbaceous peonies is to not plant them too deep. When you get a peony root division, you will see the red-ish "eyes" (new emerging plants). Plant them with the tips of the roots pointed downward andthe eyes set just an inch or so below the surface of the soil. Amend the planting hole with peat. Then mulch it over with leaf compost. Do not add in any fertilizer.

Herbaceous peonies are shallow-rooted so try not to dig or bother the plants too much around their crown area. When you weed, just cut them off at the soil level.
 
You may have to give the heavy blooms some staking and support, but I find I cut them at the bud stage to enjoy indoors often enough to not have to worry about the characteristic peony flop.

If an early summer storm is brewing and your peony is in full bloom, run out and cut all the blossoms that you can as a hard rain can often pummel and destroy these beautiful flowers. So disappointing to go out after a storm and see your peonies beaten to mush!

Mid- to late-autumn is the best time to prune back the peony foliage to within a couple inches above the soil. 

Peonies don't need dividing and they actually resent being disturbed. But, if you want to separate and share them, do so in early fall for the best results.


Pictured above is 'Do Tell' peony at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, DC.

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.