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Moving peonies

justflowersjustflowers Posts: 143
in Plants
I've just read that this is the best time to plant peonies.  I have two fairly well established peonies that I would ideally like to relocate to another part of the garden, so am wondering if this is also the best time to move them.  I don't want to risk losing them, so if it is very risky I'd rather leave them where they are and give up my idea of having two beds exclusively given over to roses and lavender.  Any ideas?  
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  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited October 2020
    It's probably ideal timing now, as long as the majority of the leaves have died off.  If not, probably best to wait a couple of weeks or so until they have.  Just remember to not plant them any deeper than they presently are and I'm sure they'll be fine. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    There is a lot of talk about how difficult this is, but I have never had a problem. Get your new planting hole ready then lift them out of the old position and into the new. If it is an old clump, you may find you can divide it and get some more plants in the process.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Best at this time of year when dormant, but you can really move them at almost any time if your conditions suit. 
    There's always been a myth about moving peonies, but it's because they're often replanted too low which inhibits flowering, hence the idea that they 'don't like being moved'. It's exactly that - a myth.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Ours have the crowns showing, but two of them don't flower, even though they did flower before I moved them.  Can you have them too shallow?
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    It can take a couple of years before they settle down and flower. Do they get sun on the crowns? They like to bake a bit.
  • justflowersjustflowers Posts: 143
    Thanks everyone - the leaves have mostly died off so I shall give it a go, fingers crossed.  I didn't know they like sun on their crowns so I shall bear that in mind when choosing their new site.
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Strangely it is not heat which initiates flower bud formation in Paeonies, rather it is cold. So in warm places they do not get that cold ripening. That is why they are planted shallowly.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I keep the crowns slightly proud on mine, but that's mainly because of our wet weather. I don't want them rotting off, which can be a problem for plants here. 
    Yes - they come from quite cold climates, so although they like a sunny spot, as @Palustris says, they aren't like the bearded Irises which like a baking in summer for the rhizomes, but need a cool boost to prompt them.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Well, well. I was always told they needed the sun on the crown! Interesting. 
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    We are talking here of herbaceous peonies. The shrubby ones are a different matter altogether.
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