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mgh1906

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


Asked from the GoYpedia peonies page


Answers

 

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

 

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

How do I say thanks?

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