Peonies require rich soil with good drainage and lots of organic matter to hold moisture. Feed peonies in early spring and late fall with a low-nitrogen fertilizer. Double-flowered peonies tend to flop over and need to be staked. Place four to six sturdy 4-foot bamboo canes around each young plant. As the plant grows, lace soft string or green garden tape around the stakes. Make sure one string goes diagonally across the center of the plant to give the individual stems more support.
When professional plantsmen talk about essential plants for the garden, peonies rank near the top of the list. In part, their reputation comes from their dominant presence, in or out of flower. The foliage is a rich dark green that sets off the blossoms perfectly and, after the flowers have gone, gives the plants the demeanor of small shrubs. Peony blossoms come in variations of two forms: double and single. Double-flowered varieties bear large, dramatic flowers packed with showy petals, such as the ‘Monsieur Jules Elie’ shown here. Single-flowered varieties are less bold, with silky petals and graceful elegance. Most single-flowered peonies have strong, upright stems and, unlike double-flowered forms, rarely require staking. With proper care, peonies live longer than most other plants.
ZONES: 3–8
BLOOM TIME: Late spring
LIGHT: Full sun
HEIGHT: 36 inches
INTEREST: Very large, sometimes fragrant blossoms with single or double flowers; dark green, shrublike foliage with good fall color
Because peonies figure so prominently in a border, they should be set in place first, as accent points, with the rest of the design developed to complement them. As foundation plantings or low hedges, they’re magnificent on their own and they make truly superb cut flowers. In warm areas where winters are mild, it is best to grow early-flowering varieties that finish growing before the heat of the summer.