On bare-root herbaceous peonies, the buds on top, called eyes, look like pink potato sprouts. Where the eyes sit and how far apart the plants stand matter nearly as much as the date. Their depth and the space between plants strongly affect how well the clump establishes and blooms.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Peonies?
The best planting season depends on local climate, soil conditions and the type of peony. Planting while the soil is workable gives roots a chance to settle before new growth begins.
Climate moves the exact window. Local conditions should determine the planting window. The type of peony shifts the timing too, since herbaceous, tree and Itoh peonies do not all behave alike.
The state selector just below this section leads to the page for your state, where the months for your climate are laid out.
From the almanac
Peonies in your state
The dates on this page depend on where you live. Your state's page carries its frost dates, its USDA zones and the year laid out month by month.
Northeast
Southeast
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Midwest
Southwest
West
Pacific Northwest
Canada
How to Plant a Peony
Planting goes in a clear order, and each step protects the buds that will become new stems.
- Test the soil well ahead of time, so that any correction is done before the root goes in. In Alaska, gardeners are advised to test at least 1 year before fall planting, and in Indiana lime is added only when the pH is below 5.5.
- Prepare a wide bed and dig the hole several days early, so that the loosened soil has time to settle. In Washington, dig the hole at least one foot in diameter. Indiana advice is to prepare the soil at least 1 foot deep.
- Size the hole to the root, so that the crown does not sink as the soil settles. In Indiana, the hole is 1.5 to 2 times the width of the root ball but only an inch deeper than its height.
- Set the eyes at the right depth, so that the plant can push up through the soil and still bloom. In Wisconsin, eyes sit about 1 to 2 inches below the surface, and in Ohio the buds go no deeper than 2 inches.
- Space the plants generously, so that air moves between them and roots are not competing. In Kansas, Iowa and North Dakota, 3 to 4 feet apart is the guide, giving each clump room to develop.
Planting too deeply can keep a healthy peony from flowering. Recommendations vary by location, and in Arkansas the eyes go no deeper than ½ to 1 inch. Follow the depth recommended for your location, then firm the soil and water the hole well.
Planting Time by Peony Type
Herbaceous and Itoh peonies share a planting depth, while tree peonies are set quite differently. They are woody shrubs grafted onto a root, so the depth is measured at the graft union instead of at the eyes.
Those differences affect how deep you dig, so check the tag before the hole is started.
| Peony Type | What changes | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Herbaceous | Eyes 2 to 3 inches below the surface in Washington | Too deep and the plant leafs out without blooming |
| Itoh | Same depth as herbaceous, 2 to 3 inches in Washington | Planted like a herbaceous peony even though it is a hybrid |
| Tree | 4 to 6 inches deep in Washington, with the graft union 6 inches deep | A deeper graft lets the plant develop its own roots |
In Washington, herbaceous and Itoh peonies are planted shallowly, while tree peonies go deeper. Mixing them up is easy when a bed contains different peony types.
Peony Planting Mistakes to Avoid
Planting Too Deep
Buried eyes can leave a peony growing green without flowering. In North Dakota, the advice is no more than 2 inches of soil over the top bud. If an established plant refuses to bloom, check its planting depth before deciding whether to lift and reset it.
Crowding the Plants
Peonies look small in the nursery pot, so they get tucked too close together. Clumps spread as they mature, and in Nebraska holes are spaced at least 3 feet apart so plants do not crowd one another. Measure the spacing before digging, and leave the gap even if it looks empty at first.
Skipping Soil Prep
A hole dug just before planting in unprepared ground can leave roots in compacted soil that later settles. Loosen a wide area ahead of planting, then correct pH only if a test calls for it. Adding lime by habit, without a test, can leave the soil in worse shape than before.
When to Plant Peonies in Your State
The planting season depends on local climate, and the cue to act is soil that is still soft enough to dig. Once those conditions arrive, the months that suit your climate are on your state’s page.
- Open your state’s page when you buy bare roots, so you can match the planting window to your local climate.
- Check it again before digging if you are adding tree peonies, since their depth differs from herbaceous and Itoh types.
Common Questions
Can You Plant a Peony in Spring?
Potted peonies can go in during spring, while bare-root planting depends on the local climate. A spring planting needs steadier watering while the roots settle.
How Far from a House or Tree Should a Peony Go?
Give it open ground with room to spread, since a clump needs space on every side. Crowding from shrubs or walls leaves less air and light around the foliage.
Should You Plant a Peony in a Mound?
Some gardeners in Alaska plant in mounds, with the highest eye about 2 thumb widths below ground level. The mound can help where drainage is poor, as long as the eyes stay at the right depth.
Sources : scottsmiraclegro.com | rhs.org.uk