# How to Grow Peonies in the Ground

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-peonies-in-the-ground/
- Published: 2026-10-24T02:25:39-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

Before you plant peonies, it is important to know how to plant them in the ground.
The wrong place could lead to poor growth. You can make several mistakes, including
planting too deeply, placing them in shady areas, and planting them too close to
trees and shrubs. Backfill the soil beneath the roots to maintain proper soil moisture
levels. In addition, when planting peonies in pots, ensure the soil is at grade,
or slightly higher.

## Planting too deeply

Avoid planting them too deep if you want to grow a gorgeous peony. They know when
they’ve been planted too deeply and will slowly work their way back up. The worst
case scenario is that you’ll miss their first blossom. You can fix this by dividing
your peony into sections and replanting it. Just remember that peonies should be
planted in good drainage and aeration.

You can plant peonies between 3/4 and 2 inches deep or one to five cm below the 
surface. If you don’t, the peony may grow slowly and flower badly. If you’re planting
too deeply, you may see a few flowers, but you won’t have much of a show. The best
time to dig up peonies is early fall. The soil should be enriched with compost, 
and you should use Rose-tone or Flower-tone to fertilize your bed before planting
your peonies.

Peonies tend to be hardy but susceptible to botrytis blight, a common fungal disease.
This disease can affect a peony’s foliage and flowers, causing the flowering to 
be reduced or even completely absent. It can also cause the stems and leaves to 
rot at the base. If you’re unsure if your peonies are susceptible to botrytis blight,
you can simply dig them up and discard them.

![How to Grow peonies](https://i0.wp.com/i.imgur.com/gALaagR.jpg?w=790&ssl=1)

Peonies

## Planting too little sun

Peonies love full sun, but they may need dappled shade in Southern climates to thrive.
If you’re worried about plant health, you may want to read up on the subject. Some
peonies are susceptible to diseases and pests, while others tolerate low light levels.
A good resource for more information on peony care is the website of Elizabeth Rundle,
known as the Peony Lady of Austrialia.

Another common problem with peonies is that they are planted too deeply or too deep.
To remedy this, lift the plants in the fall and re-plant them at the correct depth.
Peonies need at least six hours of sun daily. In addition, you should avoid over-
watering and over-fertilizing peonies, which can lead to poor flowering and troublesome
disease. For optimal growth, plant peonies where they get plenty of sun, but remember
that some varieties can tolerate some shade. Planting peonies with too much shade
can cause the plant to die off or produce foliage instead of flowers.

Plant peonies with adequate sun before the first frost date for proper root development.
Peonies can survive the coldest climates but may require winter mulch. They also
need structural support if they grow tall. They are a great choice for spring wedding
flowers. You can also add them to the centerpieces at weddings. The blooms of peonies
can be used as cut flowers and arrangements for receptions.

## Planting too close to trees and shrubs

One common mistake gardeners make is planting peonies too close to neighboring trees
and shrubs. While peonies look beautiful in the spring, they will not bloom as well
if planted too close to trees or shrubs competing with them for light and nutrients.
Plant your peonies farther away from other trees and shrubs to prevent this problem.
Plant them in a well-drained location where they can get enough light and nutrients
for optimal results.

To avoid plant disease risks, keep the spacing between peonies and their neighbors
small. Space peonies at least 18 inches apart. If planting too close to trees, avoid
pruning the plants until their buds have closed. After that, remove dead stalks 
and leaves from the plant. Once the ground has frozen, a light layer of mulch can
be applied over the crown. Remove the mulch early in the spring.

Peonies prefer a sunny spot, but they can tolerate partial shade. A peony should
receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Planting peonies too close 
to heavy shrubs and trees is not recommended, as this can cause them to send out
shoots without flowers. Planting peonies too close to trees and shrubs also means
they’ll have fewer flowers and may not survive.

## Backfilling soil under the root as needed

Before planting peonies, prepare the area by amending the soil with compost and 
bonemeal. Prepare a large planting hole and place the peony in it. Place it with
the eye facing upward and the root about one to two inches below the soil’s surface.
Place the peony’s roots one to two inches deep, filling in the rest of the hole 
with compost and bonemeal. Plant the peony in the ground with the root just below
the surface. After planting the root, mulch the area around the plant to prevent
frost heaving and disease control. In the fall, treat the soil with bonemeal to 
prevent frost heaving.

Before planting your peonies, check the soil for pH levels and pH balance. They 
prefer a slightly acidic soil, ranging from 6.5 to 7.0. Make sure the pH levels 
are balanced throughout the soil column. If you’re unsure if the soil is pH-balanced,
consider taking a professional soil test. The results will be helpful when deciding
how to amend the soil to provide the best growing environment for your peonies.

After planting your peony, you can water it deeply once a week. Water your peony
more often if the soil is very dry. You should repeat this process several times
in your cutting garden during the first few months. Water the peony deeply once 
a week to establish its roots. If you’re planting peonies in a container, use a 
hoop or support to support their heavy blooms.

## Staking peonies

Growing peonies by stakes help to support the heavy blooms and encourage sturdy 
stems. Since peonies reach only six to eight inches tall before they flower, it 
is advisable to stake them three or more times. To make staking the plants easier,
use jute twine threaded through the center stake. Knot twine between the center 
stake and each stem to support several peonies.

Before planting, dig a hole at least one inch deep. Alternatively, fill the hole
with peat moss, compost, or bonemeal. Once the peony is transplanted, carefully 
dig up any loose soil from its roots. Be sure to leave at least three to five eyes
and a portion of its root system. Once the roots are well-drained, plant peonies
by stakes.

To plant peonies by stakes, insert peony stakes eight to ten inches deep in the 
soil. Tie the stakes together with twine to keep them from slipping. Tie them together,
but don’t overtighten them! Peonies need to breathe, and an overly-tight ring will
cause the shoots to escape. Use the same stakes next year.

If you’re new to growing peonies by stakes, knowing what they require is important.
Consider using a trellis if you don’t like to plant them close together. These will
support them and help them grow strong and healthy. While they may take a few years
to grow to full size, they’ll still need the cold season to flower. Moreover, they
can become weakened or even die if kept indoors.

## Fertilizing peonies in the fall

In the spring and fall, fertilize peonies to encourage flowering. You can fertilize
peonies with organic slow-release granular fertilizer or add bone meal. Organic 
fertilizers are best for peonies, as they are low-maintenance and grow well without
them. However, many gardeners like to give their peonies supplemental nutrients,
including compost or rose food. Depending on the type of fertilizer you choose, 
you may want to start your peony fertilization program in mid-spring.

When fertilizing peonies, you should choose a fertilizer with a low nitrogen content.
This fertilizer can be applied to the plant once the stems are two to three inches
long. Never fertilize peonies directly, as this can damage them. Instead, fertilize
the plants by adding a bit of finished compost to the soil. However, avoid fertilizing
the crown of the peony, as nitrogen can inhibit flowering.

When fertilizing peonies, you should use a 5-10-5 fertilizer for their spring and
fall growth. This fertilizer also contains bone meal to supply essential nutrients
to deep roots during growth. A well-rotted compost is also an excellent fertilizer
to use to boost the soil nutrients. Bone meal also helps your peonies develop strong
roots, essential for their health. If you use a commercial fertilizer for peonies,
use half of a bucket of it during the fall and winter months.

Planting Peonies (Plants & Tubers) in My Garden! 

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