Tree Peony

[roitelet]

I bought a Tree Peony this year and it has grown a bit, ie. it has leaves! Can anyone tell me how hardy they are and what growing conditions they like please.

All advice gratefully received

[Palustris]

They are very hardy. They like a soil with plenty of organic atter in it, so dig in lots of well rotted manure,compost etc when planting. The grafted joint should be below ground level. They do not mind sun or light shade as long as they do not get early morning sun (any frost on the buds tends to burn them). Mulch each year. They do prefer a neutral to slightly acid soil.

[Squirrel]

Oh dear! I have planted mine in totally the wrong place in the wrong soil!

I have sandy soil which is over chalk and it is in an east facing bed! Been there for a year now and no flowers this year! Oh dear oh dear. I think it does not get too much of the early morning sun as it is sort of n.e. facing and there are the houses shading it early on. Plenty of manure I suppose and perhaps top dress with acid compost (cant spell what ever type it is eric...?) Do you think this might work?

[Palustris]

It would certainly help.

[nick the grief]

You could mulch with Pine Bark Sqizzer, that will help acidify the soil. the thing with most peonies is not to move them, onece they are in & happy leave them other wise you get a lovely display ...... of leaves !!

[roitelet]

Thanks everyone. I think that it may be in the wrong place, North facing bed but it doesn't get early sun in the winter. I will do as you suggest and hope!

[Squirrel]

the thing with most peonies is not to move them, onece they are in & happy leave them other wise you get a lovely display ...... of leaves !!

That's what I got this year! Thanks for all the advice guys! Will give it a go and see if it improves next year!

[Palustris]

It is herbaceous peonies which are supposed to dislike moving, though that is not absolutely accurate. They can be moved and still flower. Tree peonies may be moved like any other shrub, again as long as it is done at the right time of year and with a certain amount of care. If the plant has only been in the ground for a short time then it will not have had time to send roots out from the original rootball to any great distance, so moving it would not be a problem.

[Squirrel]

In that case, would now be a good time to move it?

[Palustris]

I would wait a little longer, say a couple of weeks or until the leaves fall. The aim is to move when the plant is dormant, but the soil is still warm enough for it to grow new roots and establish itself. If your soil is dry then give the plant a good soaking well before you do decide to go for it. As your soil is sandy then getting the plant out with as little root disturbance as possible may be difficult. Dig the new hole before digging up the plant so that the roots are exposed to the air for as little time as possible. If they have to be left for any length of time then cover with wet cloths. Fill the new hole with water and allow to drain away before putting the plant in position. Good luck!

[Squirrel]

Thanks Palustris! Am away for a weeks holiday at the end of this month, so will look to move it when I come back.

[roitelet]

Well I took all the advice and moved the Tree Peony to a west facing bed. Last year it grew much better and even tried to produce flowers but the buds came to nothing. This year however there are two nice big fat buds on it and the plant looks much happier.

Looking forward to the flowers!!!!!!!!

[jools]

They take a few years to get going anyway. I bought two a few years ago. One is pretty big now and produces HUGE beautiful flowers in abundance. I had to chop it back a bit last year, so there are fewer buds on it this year. If I can fathom how to get a photo on here, I'll post one. I have moved the other one around a few times and it has spent a long time in a pot. I finally planted it last autumn and I can see there is one bud on it.
Jools