You can incorporate paeonies in a mixed planting scheme in the border where they make a wonderful splash of colour and the foliage will continue to provide structure throughout the growing season. Alternatively, you can make a feature by planting a paeony border. If you live in a humid climate it is best not to group paeonies, reducing the risk of botrytis.
Double paeony borders, Ohinetahi
'Ohinetahi' in Governor's Bay, Christchurch, has a beautiful double paeony border providing a mass of glorious colour in early summer. Penshurst Place, Kent, UK has a 140 yd paeony border edged with lavender and backed by Berberis thunbergii running along a yew hedge- a stunning site each summer. Gertrude Jekyll had a border of paeonies and hellebores; Monet planted masses of them at 'Giverny'
As the foliage emerges in late spring, peonies are great under-planted with spring bulbs for the emerging paeony foliage will cover the bulbs as they die down. The stubby, often deep red, paeony shoots look wonderful emerging through smaller bulbs. Gladioli, lilies or Galtonia candicans can be interplanted to spear through the foliage, bringing later summer flowers. Clematis is another option to brighten the striking peony foliage some of the smaller flowered, viticella hybrids, such as 'Gravetye Beauty', are small flowered and can be encouraged to twine of the peony clumps, although some staking of the paeony may be required to support the additional weight.
Emerging flowers on P. officinalis 'Rubra Plena'
Pick paeony buds just as they are about to open and you will enjoy them in a vase for up to two weeks. To encourage the plant to form a larger bloom remove the lateral shoot and leave only the central bud. Or simply let well alone and enjoy the mass of flowers in the garden.
Gross feeders, paeonies need a rich, well-drained soil that won't dry out. If your soil is clay then add organic matter and grit or sand to a depth of 50cm. Sandy soils need to be built up with lots of compost.
Choose your paeony with care. If buying a paeony root ensure that it is healthy, free from disease and soft spots, and that it has at least three healthy growth buds. Container grown plants are more difficult to judge and you must go by the general health of the plant.
A good-sized hole is required when you plant, at least 40cm deep. Dig in plenty of compost. There are some successful growers of paeonies that advocate using cowpats (more alkaline than sheep or chicken manure) dug well into the bottom of a deep planting hole to provide nutrients for several seasons. Well-rotted compost is then added over the manured soil to avoid burning the roots. The peonies certainly seem to enjoy the conditions although using animal manure is said to encourage botrytis so if you use this method keep the manure away from the crown of the plant itself.
Paeonies require feeding each year, and a mulch of compost, about 3 to 5cm deep will protect the crowns from frost and increase the nutrient level in the soil. In gardens that are hot and dry in the summer a pea straw can retain moisture but only use this if the plants are in the sun for most of the day. In wetter climates pea straw could encourage mildew or other diseases so use your own judgment.
Depending on how tall the plant and the amount of wind in your garden, stake paeonies once the shoots begin to appear. The foliage will quickly cover a mesh of twigs or a commercial hoop. After flowering leave the foliage to die away naturally or your next year's crop of flowers will suffer, after all the joy of these 'Edwardian swagger ladies' is their sumptuous appearance at the annual garden party!
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Choosing your paeonies can be difficult, we show some wonderful varieties on the next page
More Plant Features
Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima'
Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'
Where to buy Most garden centres and plant nurseries stock paeony roots in late autumn until early winter. Choose those that have not dried out or been damaged. Plants in containers are sometimes available but can be left-over roots that have been potted. Make sure the plant is strong and healthy.
For hard-to-get varieities there are a number of specialist nurseries and growers.
Emerging flowers on P. officinalis 'Rubra Plena'
Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima'
Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'