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Protecting Peonies

Molly69Molly69 Posts: 34
in Problem solving
Hello - anyone got any good tips for protecting delicate peony flowers from a heavy rain shower?  Mine were all ruined in a day last year and I really want them to last longer this year (having a party in June!) 
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Posts

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Not really - I always expect vile weather as soon as the Oriental poppies and peonies come out!
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    A wire plant support should help.  

    Something like this:
    Image result for wire plant support
    Utah, USA.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    That’s a good idea BO you can pop an umbrella down the middle.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Hah.. Lyn, I can imagine it with a little Hungry Caterpillar umbrella tied on, carefully protecting the flowers until June for OPs party.  
    Utah, USA.
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    Funny, this came up in another thread this afternoon. I use old umbrellas fixed onto posts. Sounds crazy but it works 
    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    or like this............

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Goodness Hogweed.. you had me giggling out loud at work with that one.   :D
    Utah, USA.
  • Molly69Molly69 Posts: 34
    love it!!  May just do that, thanks! 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    That's a difficult one. I also have used an umbrella, which works as long as it isn't windy. The wire baskets also help to hold up the stems.  The only other thing I can think of is a plastic covered large cloche if your peony is not too tall and/or wide. I sympathise as we are opening the garden in June and hopefully our delphiniums, peonies and roses won't be ruined by then.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Molly69Molly69 Posts: 34
    Thanks Lizzie - a cloche might work for a few of them, but most of them are years old and very big (and lovely!)  fingers crossed for a dry June! 

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