Peonies: Know the types, tips to grow and care

Peonies are enduring garden favorites that are well-known for their lavish, early-summer flowers. They are reliable plants that bloom for generations with little care and have an extraordinarily long lifespan. Peonies are unmatched as cut flowers. They are beautiful in their natural beauty and have a soft, enduring aroma, whether they are grown alone or in mixed bouquets.

Peonies: Season

• As “perennials,” peonies have more than two years of lifespan. The name contrasts longer-lived biennials and annuals as plants with less woody development from trees and shrubs (also technically perennials).
• Peonies bloom and grow throughout spring and autumn. They shrivel up every autumn and winter before regenerating from their rootstock in the spring.
• On the other hand, Tree Peonies are a far less frequent kind of peony that you haven’t seen before. These woody shrubs grow to resemble rose bushes, and thick woody stalks support their massive blossoms.

Peonies: Geographical location

• Peonies are native to Europe and Asia, but they are sold worldwide today. 
• Peonies are offered by Fig & Bloom every year from late October through December.
• For over a thousand years, peonies have grown in China, known as “sho yu.” The English meaning of this word is “most beautiful,” therefore, it makes sense why so many people are smitten with this lovely blossom. 
• Peonies sometimes fail to blossom in warmer areas, where they thrive best during harsh winters. 

Peonies: Types

• Tree Peony

The woody branches of tree peony give way to flexible herbaceous stalks that bear single or double blooms. There are yellow variants like “Mikumino Akebono,” as well as white, pink, deep-red, and peach-petalled ones. Protect the tree peonies from the chilly, arid winds.

• Paeonia Lactiflora

The Edwardian era saw a considerable increase in the popularity of Chinese peonies, as they are commonly known. There are single varieties, like “Nippon Beauty,” double varieties, like “Sarah Bernhardt,” and other varieties with petaloid centers, like “Barbara,” in which petals have replaced the stamens.

 

• Intersectional Hybrids

The ability to create a hybrid from herbaceous and tree peony was previously considered impossible. A breeder eventually had success, and today the yellow “Bartzella” variety is regarded as one of the most excellent yellow types. For such hybrids, be prepared to spend slightly extra.

 

• Paeonia Mlokosewitschii

1. mlokosewitschii is an herbaceous perennial that grows to a height of 60 cm. It has broad, bluish-green, split leaves and bowl-shaped lemon-yellow blooms that open in the middle of spring and have deep yellow stamens.

 

• Paeonia Officinalis

Early in the year, Molly the witch, as it is affectionately called, grows fresh, grey-green leaves with a hint of pink. The golden anthers and large, spherical buds of the lemon-colored flowers, which unfold from this, serve as the ideal foil. These are easy to grow in the sun or partial shade. 

Peonies: Colour

 

• Both in your yard and flower arrangements, peonies are always gorgeous. These fragrant peony flowers have a pleasant scent and come in a rainbow of vivid hues, including pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. 
• One species even change color as it blooms. The peony is known as the “Command Performance,” and each bloom is crammed with fiery pink petals at first but gradually turn pastel pink. 
• Additionally, this type produces peonies with some of the biggest flowers, with about eight-inch-wide blooms.

How to plant Peonies ?

Most herbaceous peonies develop at a height of 3 to 4 feet and a spread of 3 to 4 feet. Some cultivars and species can reach heights of a foot or less. Normally, tree peonies (which are shrubs) grow to a height of 4 to 5 feet.

 

Where to plant peonies ?

 

If you are in a sufficiently chilly region, peonies are simple to raise at home. They don’t require high maintenance and can survive in quite severe winters. Once they are established in your yard, peonies will continue to produce lovely, new flowers every year for many years. Peony plants, like roses, may live a very long time and may even outlive you. In many cases, peonies are reported to live up to 100 years.

Factors affecting Growth of peonies 

• Sun

• The majority of cut flowers and almost all peonies thrive in direct sunlight. However, if plants receive more than a half-day of sunlight each day during the growing season, most peonies will still blossom. If you put a peony in complete shade, it probably won’t produce blossoms.
• If you plant in the autumn, keep in mind that the peonies will be actively developing in the spring and summer when the sun will be higher in the sky. This implies that in the summer, a location that would be shaded in October or November may be a good location for peonies.

 

• Soil

• Rich, deep soil that is abundant in organic content is ideal for peonies. 
• Peonies will perish if their roots remain wet for an extended period; thus, the soil must drain effectively. This implies that you shouldn’t grow peonies in a landscape depression that often floods. 
• Add plenty of compost and a little bit of fertilizer to the soil before planting.

 

• Shelter

• Amid strong winds, peonies’ large blooms can cause even strong stems to break. 
• Choose a location that is protected from spring and summer breezes to avoid this needless harm to your plants. 
• Staking your plant is always a possibility if it appears to be weighted down. 
• To create structural support for your plants, try using tomato cages, sticks, or wood posts.

 

Planting tips for Peonies

 

• It is advised to plant peonies during autumn.
• Place the tuber in a bed that has been prepared and add compost or peat moss to the existing soil.
• For each tuber, create a hole that is about 18 inches broad and 18 inches deep.
• At least three feet of space should be there between the plants.
• Combine a few balanced fertilizers, such as 5-10-5.
• The garden tuber’s upper eye should only be inserted into the ground two inches deep.
• Too much soil will prevent a tuber from flowering. Put some dirt around the tuber and give it lots of water.
• The leftover dirt is then added to the hole, and it is then tightly compacted.
• Add extra water to pacify the tuber.
• A soil cover of about 4-5 inches should be there while planting a peony tuber.

 

Diseases and pests: What to expect from Peonies

• Pests and illnesses seldom affect peonies. The most frequent problem is a fungus called botrytis. It can result in dark patches on the leaves, blackened stems, and shriveled burned-looking buds. 
• Warm, rainy weather enhances the likelihood of infection, as it does with all fungi infections. Removing and discarding any tissues that have the disease will help to limit its spread. 
• The greatest management method is prevention; discard wasted blooms as soon as possible, abstain from overhead watering, and avoid crowding plants to promote proper air circulation. 
• Thankfully, botrytis is not as terrible as it appears to be. Although it appears serious, the plant only seldom dies as a result.
• Just before they bloom, peony buds are covered in a somewhat sweet, sticky substance. This frequently draws ants, who enjoy this sweet substance. Although ants are not essential for peonies, they have no negative effects on them. It benefits both parties. 
• Simply shake the flowers or submerge them in cool water if you want to cut them and don’t want to attract ants into your house.

Benefits of peonies

• Peony is used to treat osteoarthritis, gout, fever, respiratory tract infections, and cough. 
• Women use peonies to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and menstrual cramps, and to initiate menstruation or induce abortion. 
• Additionally, it is used to treat viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, upset stomach, cramping in the muscles, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and to induce vomiting. 
• Also, peony is used to treat spasms, pertussis, epilepsy, neuralgia, migraine headache, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• People use peonies to treat cracked skin, particularly the cracks around the anus (anal fissures) that may develop with hemorrhoids.
• Peony may prevent the body from producing substances that lead to cramping in the muscles. Additionally, it could function as an antioxidant and stop blood from clotting.

Peonies: Meaning and symbolism

The peony is usually offered on important occasions as a token of joy, goodwill, and best wishes. It is typically indicative of love, honor, happiness, riches, romance, and beauty.

Each color of peonies symbolizes a different meaning.

• White Peony Flowers

The white peony is unparalleled in its modest regality and is a symbol of eternal beauty. They naturally blend in wonderfully with bridal bouquets, are fantastic complements to summertime windowsill arrangements, and provide opposing flowers a lovely contrast.

 

• Hot Pink Peony Flowers

Hot pink peonies are noticeably bolder and more striking. A hot pink flower may instantly evoke drama and passion because of its more vivid hue. This shade of peonies is usually linked to charm, enticement, and intense adoration. Despite being a sign of romance, it may also be used to represent enthusiasm, excitement, and shine due to its upbeat tint.

Source: Pinterest

• Light Pink Peony Flowers

Light pink is one of the most popular colors for peonies. Blush tones are often considered lucky, romantic, and prosperous. They are delicate and soft. Light pink peonies are a beautiful alternative to roses for anniversaries or Valentine’s Day celebrations, but they are not just for lovers. When used alone or in conjunction with other flowers to create a sentimental, richly textured arrangement, the brilliant, delicate pink peony is another wonderful flower to include in a Mother’s Day bouquet.

Source: Pinterest

• Coral Pink Peony flowers

These are magical flowers which are coral pink in colour and show yellow stamens an gradually fade from pink to apricot colour. Easy to maintain, they make great garden boundaries. Note that these flowers are toxic to cats and dogs.

Source: Pinterest

FAQs

What should I do to keep my peonies from flopping?

Many peony blossoms have two or three times as many petals as necessary, making them overly heavy to be supported by their stalks. To add the extra support required to keep the blooms straight, stake the peony stems when they emerge in the spring or while the flower buds are developing.

Do ants have to be present for a peony to bloom? If not, why don't my peonies blossom if that is the case?

Peonies do not require ants to bloom. The fragrant nectar that peony buds release before blossoming attracts ants. To stop ants from approaching the blooms, wipe this nectar off.

How can I get the greatest peony flower harvest and flower preservation for cut flowers?

Before opening, peony buds are picked for cut flower arrangements. The finest flower buds to harvest for cut flowers are those that have color and are soft in the middle. After being harvested, flowers can either be put right away in warm water containers for bouquets or kept in the refrigerator for later use.

When is a peony appropriate to divide or move?

The optimal time to divide or transfer a peony is in late August or early September. This gives the plant a month or more before the start of winter to rebuild a strong root system. Peonies, unlike some other perennials, do not require routine division once they are established. They can stay in the same place for many years.

Where and how can I get peony plants?

Typically, bare-root or container-grown peony plants are offered. It is ideal to sow bare-root plants in the late summer or early fall. Peonies that have been cultivated in containers can be planted in the landscape from early spring through late summer.

 

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you.Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com