Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Let the plant bloom
• Method 2 of 2: Let cut peonies bloom
• Tips

Peonies are easy plants with large, lavish flowers that make a wonderful addition to any garden. While these robust plants can live for decades, they do need to be well cared for to get the famous blooms. In order for your peonies to bloom, make sure you plant them in a suitable spot and don't over-fertilize them. You can further cut the buds and let them bloom in a vase after the blooming season is over!

To step

Method 1 of 2: Let the plant bloom

1. Plant your peonies where they will receive 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. Peonies need a lot of light to bloom. Make sure your peonies are in a sunny spot in the garden, where they get direct sunlight for 4-6 hours a day.
   • If the weather is very hot, make sure to shade your peonies in the late afternoon.
2. Make sure your peonies are planted no deeper than 3-5 cm. It matters a lot to this plant how deep you plant it. If they are just a little too deep in the ground, you may end up with a plant that has beautiful leaves, but produces no flowers. So make sure you don't put peonies deeper than 5 cm in the soil.
   • You may find it helpful to use a hand trowel with depth marks on it.
   • If your peony is planted too deep and is not producing flowers, you may need to replant it. Be careful not to damage the roots when digging out the plant. It may take a year or 2 for your peony to flower after a transplant.
3. Avoid over-fertilizing the peonies. While most plants benefit from a very nutrient-rich soil, with peonies this can cause the plant to put all its energy into leaf production, rather than flowers. This is especially the case with nitrogen-rich manure. If you have poor soil, wait until early summer to fertilize after the peony has bloomed.
   • Bone meal, compost and manure are good fertilizers for peonies.
   • Fertilize your peonies once every few years, no more often, and then only if the plant looks malnourished (yellowish or spindly, for example).
4. Be careful when removing leaves from the plant. Peonies survive the winter better if you cut back the foliage before it gets cold. However, doing this too early (such as in July or August) can cause poor flowering the following year. Do not prune the peonies before early fall.
5. Head any wilted flowers to encourage the development of more flowers. When the peonies start to wither, head off the dead flowers with sharp shears. Cut at the nearest strong leaf on the stem so that no bare stem protrudes from the plant.
   • Kopping not only makes your plant look more attractive, but also encourages the plant to produce more flowers instead of developing seeds.
   • If you want to trim live flowers from the plant, be careful not to cut too many buds and leaves. Leave at least 2 sets of leaves so the branch will not die.
6. Treat and prevent any pests and diseases. Insect pests, fungal infections and other diseases can disrupt the growth of your plant and affect the flowers. While you can treat your plant with an insecticide and anti-fungal, preventing these pests is always the best way to protect your peonies.
   • To avoid fungal infections, sanitize your gardening tools after each use and make sure your peonies are planted in well-draining soil.
   • Keep your yard clean and weed-free to keep harmful insects at bay. You can also try introducing beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and mantis, to your garden to keep pests under control.
7. Give the peonies several years to bloom after you plant them. Part of the trick to getting peonies to bloom is simply giving them plenty of time! After the seeds have started to grow, it can take 4-5 years for a peony plant to reach maturity. Depending on how young your plants are, it may take several seasons to see results.
   • If you've recently moved or divided a peony, it will need some time to adjust before it starts blooming again. This process can take 2-3 years.
8. Extend the blooming season by planting multiple types of peonies. Most peonies only bloom for a short period of time - usually about a week. However, different types of peonies bloom at different times in the spring and summer. This means that you can keep your garden vibrant and full of colorful flowers for longer by choosing different plants that bloom one after the other.
   • When choosing peony plants, check labels to find out when the plants typically bloom. Try to choose different plants that bloom early, mid-season, and late.
   • Some examples of early flowering peonies are tenuifolia, humilis and Claire de Lune.
   • Some mid-season flowering varieties are the Itoh and some varieties of Chinese peony (such as the clown and lactiflora).
   • Most Chinese peonies, including the lactiflora "dinner plate" and lactiflora "Nippon Beauty", are late bloomers.

   Remember that: individual peony plants also bloom longer in cooler climates.

   
   

Method 2 of 2: Let cut peonies bloom

1. Cut the buds when they are still closed and soft to the touch. When stored properly, cut peonies can last a surprisingly long time, allowing you to create beautiful bouquets long after the blooming season is over. To get the most out of your cut peonies, cut them when the buds are round, slightly colored, and as soft as a marshmallow.
   • You can also cut flowers that are already open, but you will have to use them immediately.
   • If you cut the peonies while they are still in bud, you can keep them in a vase for up to 10 days.
2. Remove the leaves from the stem. Once you've cut the peonies, remove the leaves from the stem. This will help prevent water loss from the flowers.
   • In addition, removing the leaves will help prevent the stem from getting moldy when you put the buds in water. If there are still leaves on the stem when you put the flowers in water, make sure they are above the waterline.
   • You can pull the leaves off by hand or cut them away with sharp scissors or shears.
3. Wrap the cut peonies in plastic wrap to seal in the moisture. Once the stems are cut, gently wrap the flowers in plastic wrap. Make sure to cover the entire plant from the bottom of the stem to the top of the bud. This will help keep the peonies from drying out.
   • Make sure both ends are closed tightly.
   • As an alternative to plastic wrap, you can also place the cut flowers in a plastic bag with a dry paper towel. Or keep them in the fridge in a clean vase with water, if you have enough vertical space in your fridge.
   • Check the flowers daily and discard any flowers that become moldy.
4. Store buds horizontally in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Once the peonies are intricate, put them on a shelf in your fridge. Storing it horizontally will retain moisture in the stem and bud and will also help make the most of the space available.
   • Do not store peonies in a refrigerator with apple or other fruit. The ethylene gases produced by the fruit will cause the buds to wilt and prevent them from blooming.
5. Cut the stems diagonally under the tap when you are ready to use them. Before you put the peonies in a vase, cut the stems to open them again; this helps the plant to absorb more water. Cut the stems under the tap to prevent air bubbles from forming. These can make it more difficult to absorb water from the vase.
   • Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle rather than perpendicular. This maximizes the surface area at the bottom of the stem, allowing the flower to absorb water more efficiently.
6. Place the peonies in a bucket of water in a warm room until the buds open. After you cut the stems, place the peonies in a vase or bucket of room temperature water or slightly heated water. Depending on how tight the buds are, they will likely open in 12 to 24 hours.
   • If the buds need to open faster, you can place the vase or bucket in a warm room. For example, place the peonies in an environment of at least 27 degrees Celsius if they need to open within 2-3 hours.

   Tip: you may be able to extend the life of your cut peonies slightly by adding a flower life extending agent to the water.

   
   

Tips

• Peonies grow best in plant zones 3 to 8. If you are unsure which peonies will thrive in your area, check with your local nursery or garden center.