“Thankyou” Lilysilly, how kind......well, when I have something to show for them next year, I will post a pic on my blog here...let’s see how we go 😊 - nite nite Tads 😊
My peony is also on clay and blooms well. The only insects I had were ants - apparently they are attracted to them before the flower opens - but they didn't really detract from the plants so I left them there.
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 ?
Insecticiedes don't prevent disease, they control insects. In the wider picture, I've never sprayed paeonies with anything. IMHO they don't need spraying. I've not sprayed roses for over 30 years either.
@Tads , if your soil is in good condition, the plants in it will be happier and healthier. Seriously, I'd dump the regular insecticide spraying and let the population of beneficial critters build up. Don't be put off and reach for the spray if you get a bit of an infestation, the ladybirds, bluetits , lacewings etc might take a while to catch up, but if you let them , they will. Use the money saved to invest in a compost bin, or some well rotted farmyard manure.
Clay is great, as I said earlier, but peonies don't like sitting in a sump, so if you live in an area of high rainfall and cooler conditions, where soil is slow to dry and warm up in spring, just be aware of that. I'd hate to see you having an issue with them later on. I wouldn't dig around it to add grit, but keep an eye on it. I'm sure it'll be fine. I still think it'splanted a bit deep, but it's up to you whether you want to move it so that the crown is a little higher. The Duchess looks like this when she's happy, and smells divine
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl is quite right about the sump effect, of course. Easiest way to see if you are likely to have a problem is to dig a hole about 18 inches deep and pour a bucket of water into it. If it hasn't drained away in a couple of hours then you may have a problem and it would be better to deeply cultivate the whole area rather than making individual planting holes.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Hi Fairygirl, 🙋♀️ well - after your comments, I took a chance! i “very carefully” dug around my already planted peony, & lifted it out. 😬 i mixed some grit with the removed soil. I added more of this to the hole, thereby allowing me to “shallower plant” the peony, & leaving “the buds” above the soil, as you recommended. I have heeded what you said, & looked at my 2nd peony (still in the pot it came in) - & yes I can quite clearly see that it is planted with “the buds” left exposed: so as you said, I will plant my 2nd one the same. thankyou for your advice. one question: leaving “the buds” exposed, what happens to the peony in the winter months when the weather is harsh. Will it be all right ?
thanks v much for your interesting coms... sincerely Tads 🤔
We get lots of frost, ice and snow here Tads, but as mine is against the house wall, it gets reasonable protection. I put a bit of fleece round it when we get spells below minus five or six, but as it's dormant at that time, it's usually ok.
If you get severe weather for a period of days, and it comes after the new growth starts, you could do something similar - just to prevent those growth buds getting damaged.
Our season is later here anyway, so growth doesn't get going as early as it does in many places, although we can get harsh weather at any time in April and May. Although mine is in a good, well sheltered spot, and I've resisted getting more for this garden simply because it's tricky to get the right spot for them. Good luck with them - they're beautiful plants
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Tads
😊
I've not sprayed roses for over 30 years either.
Ruby Rose - Thankyou too 😊
Tads
😊
Seriously, I'd dump the regular insecticide spraying and let the population of beneficial critters build up.
Don't be put off and reach for the spray if you get a bit of an infestation, the ladybirds, bluetits , lacewings etc might take a while to catch up, but if you let them , they will.
Use the money saved to invest in a compost bin, or some well rotted farmyard manure.
Tads
😊
The Duchess looks like this when she's happy, and smells divine
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
i “very carefully” dug around my already planted peony, & lifted it out. 😬
i mixed some grit with the removed soil. I added more of this to the hole,
thereby allowing me to “shallower plant” the peony, & leaving “the buds” above the soil, as you recommended. I have heeded what you said, & looked at my 2nd peony (still in the pot it came in) - & yes I can quite clearly see that it is planted with “the buds” left exposed: so as you said, I will plant my 2nd one the same.
thankyou for your advice.
one question: leaving “the buds” exposed, what happens to the peony in the winter months when the weather is harsh. Will it be all right ?
thanks v much for your interesting coms...
sincerely
Tads
🤔
If you get severe weather for a period of days, and it comes after the new growth starts, you could do something similar - just to prevent those growth buds getting damaged.
Our season is later here anyway, so growth doesn't get going as early as it does in many places, although we can get harsh weather at any time in April and May. Although mine is in a good, well sheltered spot, and I've resisted getting more for this garden simply because it's tricky to get the right spot for them. Good luck with them - they're beautiful plants
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...