PEONY

Tads · August 2018

can any other kind member/s give me their comments about planting a peony, here in a Guildford garden, in clay soil.
i have planted one, the other is still in its pot. They arrived a week ago.
i prepared the planting hole by using plenty of grit at the bottom, adding some well rotted manure & a little bonemeal at the bottom. I covered the plant just above the stems, 5 cm over these, with soil. And have watered them nightly. This peony seems ok. It is in full sun.

the 2nd peony in the pot, has leaves which hav pe turned brown at the edges, I don’t know why? It has been in full sun, & only watered at night.
i have also watered this peony the same, every night.
(see photos)

i spray my roses with the recommended insecticide to prevent diseases, once a week, April to September. Can I use the same insecticide on the peony also ? (Can’t menion brand) Or definitely not ?
The Planted peony is in the New Rose Garden I am planting here for my daughter.
this garden was formerly full of Lavender plants, which I dug up 2weeks ago, left the bed fallow, adding some well rotted stable manure, and some compost, & tilling the soil regularly, so it got cultivated nicely before I planted the roses and now the peony.

I would like any & all advice to do with rearing peonies in this country. Are they difficult to grow? All information will be greatly appreciated. “Thankyou”.

Sincerely
Tads
😊

Alan Clark2 in Liverpool · August 2018

They are unfussy and grow well in my clay soil, the only thing to remember is to plant them shallow, otherwise they will not flower. I never use insecticide on mine, they have never been bothered by insect pests.

Fairygirl · August 2018

You may have planted too deep. Ideally you don't want much soil over the crown of the plant where the 'buds' are. That's where your stems come from. Ifplanting out a pot grown plant, don't bury it deeper than it was in the pot.
Clay is good as it's fertile, but they like good , free draining soil, so it would have been better to mix a good amount of grit with the soil in the planting hole, rather than just putting some at the bottom. Doing that can create a 'sump' where water gathers, which they won't like.
The brown tips are just weather damage, and I wouldn't worry about that at all. I assume you're going to plant that one in the ground too? Sunny site is the best for them, but if in a pot, you'll need to be more attentive regarding the soil medium, and the aftercare. It needs ot be quite a big pot.
Not sure why you'd want to use an insecticide? Do you mean generally, or do you think there's a problem with pests or diseases? Peonies are fairly trouble free- greenfly is about all they usually get, and they can just be wiped away.
Make sure you stake your plants early on in spring too - they need a good support

BobTheGardener · August 2018

Most herbaceous peonies are beginning to naturally die back now, so what you see is normal, especially for the one still in a pot. Your planting method is fine. Peonies don't have any significant pests so no need to use any chemicals (is there ever?) As you've used manure, they'll be good to go for a year or three before any feeding is needed. Pretty easy-going plants and as long as you stick to making sure the root crown is no deeper than 5cm or so, you can't go far wrong.

wakeshine · August 2018

I planted several peony roots (and a couple from pots) into very clay soil two years ago and they have all thrived and produced flowers, so I am sure yours will do really well.

Tads · August 2018

WOW, what wonderful advice from valued co-members.
thankyou so much ! Given me a lot to think about....
question for Fairygirl: If I dig around the outside of the already planted peony,adding a lot more grit to the aurrounding soil - will that help ? Or can I replant it, maybe? What do you think? It’s been plant

Tads · August 2018

It’s been planted for about a week.
thanks v much for all the help, everyone 🤗
Tads
😊

Tads · August 2018

🤔🤔🤔 So, Fairygirl, should my clay inclined soil be as much as 50% grit 50% soil, then, do you think, when planting peonies...?
my 2nd peony will also be planted into the ground in another bed.
want to do this one right !
bless you, thanks
Tads
😊

lilysilly · August 2018

Hi Tads, I garden in Devon on fairly heavy clay, and have planted I think ten peonies in my front and back garden. They are all healthy and flower well and are bulking up year by year. When planting mine l did add some grit to aid drainage in the large hole I'd dug, but not 50/50, just a couple of towels worth mixed in the bottom of the hole and replacement soil. My soil has been improved with well rotted manure ,grit and leaf mould over the years by me but some parts of the garden are damper than others, so I always add a little grit to whatever I plant.
I planted all my peonies with the crown at soil level, not below. After I cut back the old foliage in late Autumn I give them a small sprinkle of fbb and and a little bit of compost around the new buds.
I have moved a couple of my peonies to new areas when required, and even divided one. They settle within a season.
It might be worth checking out on Youtube The Great British Garden Revival Wild Flowers and Peonies. Dave Root the owner of Kelways peonies in Somerset is chatting to Charlie Dimmock about how he cares for and plants his collection of peonies. He just dug a hole in a field and planted one, no fuss at all! The peony part of the show is the second half . It's worth a watch.
What varieties did you buy Tads?

Tads · August 2018

Hi lillysilly 🙋‍♀️
Paeonia lactiflora “ Angel cheeks “ & paeonia lactiflora “ Duchesse de Nemours “
And I will defo look on utube for that chat with David Root !
“Thankyou” for your interesting response...appreciative of anything I can learn about peonies - first time I have bought them & want to do right by them ....
bless you 😊 & thankyou again,
Tads
😊

lilysilly · August 2018

Those are both stunning peonies Tads, ones I don't have but have admired greatly. I'm sure they will do well in your soil.

PEONY

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