plant a tree peony

When to plant a shrub peony?

Plant it as much as possible in autumn, between September and the first frosts, which will give it time to settle in and start its growth in spring.

Planting in winter, outside of periods of severe frost or very early spring, is still quite reasonable.

If you buy it in a pot, planting is possible throughout the year, although it is advisable to avoid planting during the flowering period and in summer.

Where to plant it?

Plant your shrub peony in sunlight, or even slightly in the shade for botanical species. A sunny exposure will ensure a generous flowering. The peony needs space and perfectly weeded and worked soil: it does not appreciate competition from other plants nearby.

Shrub peonies are quite undemanding regarding soil type. However, they prefer soils rich in humus (like woodland soil), cool, and especially well-drained to avoid excess moisture. They cannot tolerate waterlogged soils, but rather enjoy stony ground. If your soil is heavy, do not hesitate to add a layer of gravel at the bottom of the planting hole. They appreciate loose and deep soils.

Be careful to provide enough space for its development, keeping in mind that the tree peony has a slow but often significant growth, often more than 1.5 m in spread, and it does not appreciate cohabitation with other plants that are too close.

How to plant it?

1. Start by digging a planting hole. It should be deep enough to allow for proper root development. Its size depends on the volume of the peony: at least 40 cm, and up to 60 or 80 cm if the plant is mature and large.
2. If your soil is heavy and tends to retain water, drain the bottom of the hole with gravel or river sand mixed with a bit of garden soil. You can also plant your peony on a mound to slightly elevate it.
3. To ensure a good start, place a mixture of garden soil and leaf mould or well decomposed manure of the Or Brun type in the planting hole along with a few handfuls of roasted horn.
4. Plant your peony by burying the first buds under 7 to 10 centimetres of soil.
5. Water generously to ensure good contact between the roots and the substrate, and to facilitate the plant’s recovery.

Continue to water in the weeks following planting.

Shrubby peonies grow slowly but are low-maintenance. Once established, they do not like to be transplanted as they need time to settle and develop a good root system.

How to care for paeonia suffruticosa after planting?

• In spring, add organic matter: well-rotted manure or compost, to nourish the plant and encourage its flowering.
• In the first few years, peonies will appreciate being watered during summer. Afterwards, they can generally do without watering.
• We recommend removing faded flowers to prevent exhausting the plant by producing seeds.
• Regularly hoe around the plant to aerate the soil in the top few centimetres.
• Peonies do not need to be pruned. However, if you feel it is necessary, you can carry out very light pruning to give it a harmonious shape and remove a few damaged branches.