A Beginner’s Guide to Tree Peony Growth and Maintenance

Hello, fellow gardeners. Today we are here with a guide on how to grow and care for a tree peony. Did you know peonies have been given the title of “Queen of Flowers”? Interesting right? Their beauty has gained a lot of attraction in the past few centuries.

This guide is designed in a way that will teach you everything about growing peonies in the most simple way. Here’s a bit about peonies before you actually start planting them. Peonies like sunny spots, but they take their time to bloom fully. They prefer cool weather and may need a couple of years to settle in and show their full beauty. Patience is key!

We promise by the end of this blog, you’ll know much more about peonies and will be able to plant them with ease. Let’s get started.

Choosing a Site to Plant Tree Peony

There is no doubt that tree peonies are a beautiful addition to your garden, but to ensure that they survive and grow healthy, you must choose the right planting site. Here are a few tips to help you select the best spot to plant your tree peony.

Soil Type: Tree peonies usually prefer well-drained soil that is also rich in organic matter. They thrive in soil that is a bit acidic and has a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0. It would be great if you nourish the soil with compost or well-rotted manure; this will ensure that your plant grows healthy and happy. We suggest that you don’t plant it in clay soil as it may cause waterlogging and damage or stop the plant’s growth.

Sun Exposure: It would be great if you planted it in a place where the tree peony gets at least six hours of sunlight each day. However, it won’t be great if you put them in a place where there is direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day; this may lead the plant to burn and ruin. In areas where the is too much heat during summer, try to plant peonies in a place where you can provide shade during rough heat. On the other hand, if you live in an area where there is too much cold, then plant them in a place where they get morning sunshine.

Few Other Uncommon Tips: While selecting a location to plant your peonies, you should also consider the height and spread of a mature plant. They can grow up to six feet tall and five feet wide, so choose a space that can easily help the plant grow to that much. However, you should also avoid planting peonies near trees and plants that would compete for water and nutrients. Another very important thing is to plant them in a place where the strong wind won’t hit them hard enough that they break because, in the starting stages, peonies are quite delicate and need 100% care.

How to Plant Tree Peony

Planting a tree peony through seeds is not an easy process it can be very overwhelming. But in our experience, it is quite a fun and rewarding experience to grow these beautiful flowers in your garden. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand the planting process in detail.

Prepare The Seeds: Before planting the seeds, you will have to make sure that the seeds pod turns brown and begin to split open. This is the time you will have to plant the seeds in your garden. However, you will then have to remove the seeds gently from the pod and let them dry for a few days before you plant them.

Prepare The Soil: The type of soil you use is very important, and as a gardener or plant lover, we believe you are already aware of that, right? To start your soil preparation, all you have to do is choose a soil with good drainage and rich in organic matter. Then proceed with mixing all the natural ingredients, such as compost and aged manure, to make the fertility of the soil better.

Plant The Seeds: The best time to plant a tree peony is during the fall or early winter. You have to plant the seeds then 2 inches deep in the soil. Make sure to cover it with mulch to save it from freezing cold. Then keep watering regularly but also ensure that overwatering will cause damage to the plant.

Wait For Germination: The next step includes waiting and proving love to the plant. Peonies can take time to germinate, sometimes a few weeks and sometimes even months, so be patient. Keeping the soil moist would help a lot in the germination process, then just keep monitoring the pod for signs of germination.

Transplant The Seedlings: As soon as the seedlings grow a few inches, it is time for you to plant them into pots. They grow well in pots and also look better in pots rather than just soil directly. After carefully transplanting the plant to pots now, you just have to water them and make sure to keep them in a location with partial shade. This way, you can even shift the plant wherever needed to provide the appropriate amount of sunlight and shade both.

How to Water and Apply Fertilizer to Tree Peony

Tree peony requires constant care to grow and flourish the way you want them to, and the most important step to keep them happy is watering and fertilization. So, let’s dive into what’s required for them to have healthy growth.

Water It in Prudent Way

As we have already discussed above, tree peony prefers moist soil, so keep it hydrated, especially on warm days. The ideal amount of watering is to provide them with water for about an inch per week, which means you have to water up to one inch of the soil every week. We suggest that you water them in the morning so that if there is any excess water, it can easily evaporate during the daytime, ensuring there is no opportunity for fungal diseases.

Application of Fertilizer

We all need food to survive, right? This is what plants need to survive “fertilization”; always keep in mind a well-fed plant will always bloom happily in your garden. The best time to fertilize is in the early spring season when the new growth is happening. You should always use natural ingredients as fertilizers, and if not, then maintain the amount as per mentioned in the package.

Tip: Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which will hamper the growth of the plant.

How to Prune And Maintain Tree Peony

Tree peonies can be a bit high maintenance sometimes, but not always though. They are plants in the end, so they need love and care to grow, and one of the key things you need is pruning them whenever needed.

Pruning tree peony is something you will have to do very carefully because if by mistake you cut the buds, there are fewer or maybe no chances to see flowers in the blooming season. So, we suggest that you do the pruning only if needed and in the spring season.

Talking about maintenance, just keep an eye out for any kind of diseases or pests that may harm the plant. Otherwise, you are good to go if you provide sufficient water and sunlight.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Once the tree peony has grown, there are still chances that it may face or cause problems. But if it’s still in the growing phase, then keep an eye on these problems, don’t worry. We have also mentioned the solutions.

Buds Don’t Open

Problem: If you are noticing that the buds are unable to open, this is mostly caused due to light frost that has already damaged the bud.

Solution: Just be patient and wait for the frost to melt and let the bud bloom on its own. It is advised that you don’t open the bud forcefully, as this may eventually damage the plant’s growth.

Unusual Growth of Shrubs

Problem: This problem is mostly faced by mature tree peonies; they tend to grow longer or leggy shrubs.

Solution: Keep pruning the tree gradually over a couple of seasons; this will help minimize the stress on shrubs and buds.

Plant Stops Blooming

Problem: Most mature plants tend to face this problem of not being able to bloom as they previously did. This could happen due to many reasons.

Solution: Ensure that the plant is buried deep enough so it is getting sufficient space to grow. Also, keep a check on weeds and other plants that may be stealing the water and sunlight.

Summing Up

Here we conclude our guide on how to grow and care for peonies; we have included every bit of detail that is required for you to grow a healthy tree peony and decorate it in your garden. Trust us; it’s a very soothing process; you may even fall in love with gardening after this.

Having to work hard on your plant and then see it grow is exactly like experiencing a child grow; you will enjoy every step of the way and become a pro gardener soon. So start your journey today. We hope you can get all the necessary information about planting them.

We wish that your garden is filled with beauty and happiness and with all the beautiful plants you will grow in your gardening journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Do Tree Peonies Grow Best?

The best place to grow tree peonies is in well-drainage soil; that is what they love. You should also remember that they like the morning sun, but in the afternoon, they need shade. So, plant them in a place where they could get the best of both worlds.

What Is the Best Fertilizer for Tree Peonies?

The best fertilizer for peonies is a balanced, slow-release type with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The best fertilizer for peonies is one with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 14-14-14. Use it as mentioned on the package, not less, not more. It is best to apply fertilizers in the early spring, just as your peonies begin to grow.

Do Peonies Grow Better in Pots or Ground?

Peonies do grow better in the ground, but it’s not feasible for gardeners to do so, as it becomes much more hectic to handle them. That’s why most gardeners prefer planting them in pots instead of ground.

How Much Water Do Peonies Need?

Newly planted seeds require 1 inch of water every week, whereas mature plants can be watered deeply within 10 days. Overwatering can be harmful to the plant’s growth, so ensure that adequate water is supplied.