May is Peony Time

Peonies provide a spectacular floral show with a minimum of care and expense. The large flowers are not the only ornamental feature. The glossy, compact foliage remains attractive most of the Summer. Peonies make few demands. Plant them in a sunny, well drained location where their roots do not have to compete with other plants. You can select from three types of peonies. Most popular are the common herbaceous peonies that die back to the soil level each fall. Another type, the tree peony, has woody stems that persist from year to year.

Tree peonies are generally more expensive and difficult to grow than the other types. A third type, the hybrid peony, has foliage that dies back to ground level as the common peonies do, but is developed largely from crosses between the other two types. For the home garden the herbaceous peonies are most

rewarding. There are many flower forms to choose from that include single, semi-double, double, Japanese, and anemone.

For many years the double forms were most popular. However, the large flowers were easily beaten down by rains and wind. As a result, popularity of the singles, Japanese, and anemone forms has increased. The lighter weight of these flowers makes staking and tying less important. When peonies are in bloom, little needs to be done except enjoy them. A general garden fertilizer should be applied in early spring when flower buds are about the size of a pea.

Probably the most common complaint is failure to bloom. Healthy peony plants should flower freely once established in the proper location. Peonies require two to three years to develop into blooming plants. If plants do not flower, or flower poorly at the end of that time, check the location and other conditions. Too much shade, especially in dry soil under trees, will prevent blooming. Planting too deeply is another common cause of poor flowering. The young, developing buds, or "eyes" of the roots should never be planted deeper than two inches below the soil surface.

Ants are often seen on peony buds. They collect nectar produced by the developing bud but do not seriously damage the plant. Peonies may be attacked by one or more leaf spots that make the plant unsightly in late summer. Thorough sanitation is important to keep them under control. Cut off any diseased foliage in late summer and destroy it. If leaf spots become apparent in spring or early summer, sprays with a fungicide such as captan or zineb will help control them.

Sprays must be repeated at seven to 10-day intervals, especially during damp weather periods. Plant peonies only in late summer or early fall while they are dormant. Once established, plants have thrived in the same spot 50 to 100 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peony