Many Happy Returns Peony

A sublimely pleasant presence in every landscape, Peonies are a breeze to grow and respond brilliantly to the varied needs of modern day garden designs. An herbaceous perennial of the genus Paeonia, the Peony belongs to the family Paeoniaceae and comes to us from Asia, Europe and parts of Western North America. Peony flowers are large, showy and often fragrant, occuring in a glorious spectrum of colors including purple, red, white and yellow. They bloom in late spring or early in summer, delighting all that behold with their wondrous floral display.

Peony plants relish slightly acidic soils (pH 6.5 to 7.0) with good drainage. They tend to do well in both full and partial sun, becoming ideal candidates for borders, walkways, hedges and some of those unsightly, desperately in need for a facelift spots of the garden. Peonies are great centerpieces and excellent as cut flowers. Some peonies have a wonderful fragrance!

Fall is the ideal time of the year for planting peonies. Addition of organic matter to the soil is always useful and advisable. Peonies should be spaced 3-4 feet apart in the garden. Set peony roots into the soil at a depth of 2-3 inches, making sure the eyes are facing the skies. Gardeners in the South looking to plant early-blooming peonies should wait until fall end, set the roots at a depth of 1 inch under the soil and remember to provide them some cover against the sun. Pack the soil firmly around the roots and water well. Check on the plants regularly as they're developing and irrigate whenever the soil appears to be drying up.