Judy asks, “I planted peonies three years ago, and they have never bloomed. How can I get them to bloom?”
Peonies are a small shrub with beautiful large flowering blooms in late spring. They are available in a huge assortment of colors. They can live up to 50 years or longer. I remember my mother growing a huge bi-colored pink and white double peonies called Sorbet, with a wonderful fragrance.
The number one reason peonies fail to bloom is because they have been planted too deeply. The roots actually need a cold period to produce flowers. Newly planted peonies roots should be planted 2 or 3 inches below the soil line in full sun. If they are planted too deeply they probably will never bloom! Peonies should be planted in the fall, October in Ohio. Sometimes it might take two or three years for them to become established before they will bloom. They don’t like wet feet, so the soil should be well draining. Once planted and growing they dislike being moved. Go light on the fertilizer.
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Make sure you follow these simple steps and you should be rewarded with many years of wonderful spring time flowers!
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If you have any gardening questions you would like to ask Rick or topics you would love to see him cover please feel free to drop him a note and ASK THE GARDENER here.