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Peony with Acer

DorcascentsDorcascents Posts: 132
in Problem solving
Hi, Hope everyone is coping   with the lockdown and keeping busy with your gardens.
I have  a slight dilemma. I moved a peony 2 years ago,and planted a white acer in its place. Then acer now has a branch of the peony in bud ready to open, growing through it. I don't really wish to move the acer which is only a young one as the position I think will suite it when it grows. What should I do with the peony, how and when?

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I would move the Acer as it is smaller, and will recover really well if you pot it up and look after it in a sheltered spot. It will continue to grow, and might even do better in a pot, where it won't be swamped by other things. It will also look less 'lost' in a pot, until it's 2 or 3 feet tall. If you want to free up the bed for the Acer in a year or two, move the peony in autumn.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    @Dorcascents - always the way isn't it? If you hadn't planted the Acer, that peony would never have grown!  :D
    In addition to what @WillDB has said, which is very sensible advice, the other alternative is to just keep cutting the peony off at the ankles. If you have the bulk of it elsewhere, it wouldn't matter if you bumped it off. Depends how keen you are to keep that bit as well too  :)

    I'd agree with him though - the wee Acer might struggle there just now. Ideally they do better being grown on quite carefully, and those pale ones tend to be a bit weaker in general. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DorcascentsDorcascents Posts: 132
    WillDB and Fairygirl, thank you both very much for your comments. I will pot up Acer tomorrow.On 2nd thoughts I may wait till the peony flower opens then move the Acer.
  • foxwalesfoxwales Posts: 69
    Leave both in place, with one bud that peony isn't going to get much bigger this year so will not out compete the Acer.  When autumn arrives, move the peony elsewhere.  You have infact got a brand new peony plant there.
  • DorcascentsDorcascents Posts: 132
    Thank you foxwales for your comment. I will  take onboard what you say.
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