By Mgh1906
United Kingdom
I bought 4 plants of peonies at the Chelsea Flower show about 10-12 years ago, all single, all beautiful flowers at the show. Planted them in a partly shady, partly sunny flower bed. I had a couple of flowers from each plant after two years, then one, then none for the last 6 years. I dare not disturb them. I have also tried feeding them generously, only to get more leaves. Pruning? Could you please advise a course of action? Thank you.
mariagraziaholmes@hotmail.com
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- 25 Jun, 2012
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Answers
Here we go again. Herbaceous Paeonies can be moved without any difficulty whatsoever.
They need a period of cold ripening to initiate flowering, so if they are too deeply planted then no cold, no flowers. Scrape away the soil and expose the buds so the frost can get at them. And stop feeding, they may well be getting too much Nitrogen and producing leaves instead of flowers.
25 Jun, 2012
Is that right, Owdboggy? I always thought moving them spelt death!! What good news!
25 Jun, 2012
Thank you to you all. mgh1906
25 Jun, 2012
The time to move them is immediately after they go dormant in the autumn
25 Jun, 2012
Exactly and plant shallow.
25 Jun, 2012
I shall try that - thanks Owdboggy and Andrewr.
25 Jun, 2012
I shall try that too. Thanks Owdboggy and Andrewr.
mgh1906
26 Jun, 2012
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Welcome to GOY.
Apparently peonies hate to be buried too deep. If you mulch regularly, they might have been gradually covered up. You could try removing (carefully!) some of the soil around the base of the plants. I believe they also like a fairly open aspect - are they overshadowed? I have one at the moment which I think is in the wrong place, but like you I am very wary of moving it as I understand they hate that. I don't think pruning would help. I am sure you will get further advice, perhaps more helpful! Good luck!
25 Jun, 2012