Planting peonies

When to plant peonies?

Peonies are quite tolerant when it comes to planting time, but to maximise their flowering and ensure successful establishment, a few precautions should be taken into account.

If you buy your peonies in pots, you can plant them all year round, provided you avoid periods of intense frost or extreme heat. However, the best time remains spring or autumn, when conditions are milder, as this allows the roots to establish themselves more effectively.

For bare-root peonies, the ideal time to plant is in autumn, from September through to November. This gives them time to develop their roots before winter, preparing them to flower the following spring. Planting during this period promotes stronger establishment and better flowering.

Where to plant them?

Peonies thrive in a sunny position, essential for abundant flowering, but they also tolerate partial shade. They need space and air: avoid planting them too close to other plants, as they dislike competition from neighbouring roots. They are particularly sensitive to excess moisture, which can cause their roots to rot, so choose a spot with well-drained soil and sheltered from strong winds.

Peonies are hungry plants and prefer a clay soil rich in humus, deep and well-drained. Before planting, loosen the soil thoroughly and enrich it with well-rotted compost or manure. If your soil is too sandy, they will produce plenty of leaves but few flowers. If the soil is clay-based, their growth will be slower, but flowering will be more abundant. To improve this type of soil, add some compost or leaf mould. As for pH, your ground should not be too acidic; peonies prefer alkaline soils.

We do not recommend planting peonies in pots, as they prefer cool, deep soils. In containers, they may become root-bound and the compost will dry out too quickly.

To learn more, check out our advice sheet: “What is the best place to plant a peony?”

How to plant them?

Take care when planting, as peonies will remain in place for a long time. Ensure proper planting distance (about 1 metre between each plant) to avoid competition for water and minerals. Peonies are greedy plants and need space to grow well.

• Using a spade, dig a large planting hole, 40 to 50 cm deep. Mix in well-rotted compost, along with bone meal or roasted horn. Avoid chemical fertilisers, especially those high in nitrogen (N): excess fertiliser risks burning their roots and promoting leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
• For bare-root herbaceous peonies, plant them with the buds covered by about 3 cm of soil. If planted deeper, the plant may struggle to flower. Take care not to damage the fine roots. Tree peonies should be planted slightly deeper, under 5 or 6 cm of soil. Planting them too deep may hinder flowering.
• For container-grown peonies, position the soil level at the same height as the original substrate, without burying the crown.
• Firm the soil and water thoroughly to ensure good contact between the substrate and roots.

We recommend staking peonies. The double flowers are particularly heavy and may collapse without support.

Once planted, peonies dislike being moved, as they develop deep roots, and transplanting disrupts their root system. If you must relocate a peony, it may take one or two years to flower again.

After Planting: How to Care for and Maintain Your Peonies?

• Hoe regularly around the peony to aerate the surface soil, taking care not to damage the roots.
• Remove faded flowers to prevent seed formation, which would unnecessarily weaken the plant. This also reduces disease risks.
• In the first few years, water them during dry spells. They’ll also appreciate being watered in spring, before flowering.
• We recommend adding compost or well-rotted manure around your peony plants each autumn.
• Peonies don’t require pruning. For tree peonies, light autumn pruning may be done if necessary, but generally they do perfectly well without.

My peony isn't flowering. What should I do?

It’s quite common for peonies not to flower in their first year. They need time to establish themselves properly. The larger the peony root, the more likely it is to flower quickly. Ideally, it should have at least two or three eyes. Similarly, if conditions aren’t right – if the soil is too free-draining or too poor, or if the plant lacks water – it won’t flower. Consider moving it to a more suitable location, bearing in mind that after transplanting, it may take one or two years before it flowers again.

How to make peony bouquets?

You can pick peony flowers to create stunning bouquets! These are delicate blooms that last up to five or six days in a vase. Cut them when they are still in bud, before they fully open. They will bloom once picked. Cut the stem cleanly at an angle and remove any leaves at the base. Place the vase in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight. Change the water daily.

If it rains, don’t hesitate to pick the flowers, as outdoors they will be damaged by the rain.