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Replanting Peonies

borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
in Plants
I have a new garden, as I moved house less than a year ago.  In spring, 3 peonies plants appeared.  One of them flowered a couple of weeks ago, the other two show no signs of any flower heads.  I believe this can happen if they are planted too deeply, and I'm wondering if this might be the case.

If they are in too deep, can I remedy this (for next year) by simply digging them up now and planting them more shallowly?
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  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    They hate being moved,if you must I definitely wouldn't do it now,in the growing season. I see you are somewhere in Kent,it could be the strange weather we've had this year.i planted a new one last year,it didn't flower,but this year it's amazing.ignore the picture,itouched the edge of the screen,was trying to get a picture of the bumblebee on the orchid!
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited June 2021
    According to Claire Austin, peonies should be moved between October and February 
    https://claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk/blog/moving-and-dividing-peonies

    However rules are made to be broken, so if you're happy to take the risk and keep an eye on the watering, you could do it now if you're really desperate.
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    I have seen Peony experts say they don't mind being moved, and that that is a myth.  It's the depth of the planting which is critical, and which people often get wrong, resulting in lack of flowering.  It could also be that your plants are not very mature @borgadr

    Having said that, I wouldn't generally move any plants that are in full growth in Summer, as it is too stressful for them.  I would wait until the Autumn, when the foliage has died down.  As well as planting depth, make sure they are not shaded by other plants, as the crown needs as much sun as possible.

    One of our Peonies flowered about 5-6 years ago, for a couple of Summers, but I moved it about 3-4 years ago and it stopped flowering.  Rather than replant it, I left it alone.  It suddenly flowered this year!  They are fickle, but beautiful, creatures.
  • EustaceEustace Posts: 2,290
    If the peonies were planted as bareroots, it will take 2-3 years for them to flower. As you moved in only a year ago, I guess you don't know how old these plants are.  I think it might be worthwhile waiting for another spring to see whether they flower and then decide what to do.
    Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
    And then my heart with pleasure fills,
    And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth :)

  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    Thank you for all the quick and helpful responses!

    @Nanny Beach yes it's been a strange year for weather here in Kent - long spells of very wet or very dry weather. Wet winter until mid Feb, virtually no rain in March and April, frost almost every night through April, rain almost every day in May!
    @AnniD - I'm not that desperate so I'm happy to wait for the optimal time to move them. @KeenOnGreen they're in full sun until mid-afternoon when they become shaded by an oak tree (and only part-shaded through most of spring, as that tree is the last into leaf). As you suggested (and @Eustace) they may be relatively young, I have no way of knowing except that they're all quite small plants and the two non-flowering are smaller than the flowering one.  I hadn't thought of that - so I'll give it another year or two before I consider moving them.
  • brackenbracken Posts: 91
    I moved old large peony plants and split others last Autumn, planted them in sunny positions and planted them in shallow holes.  They are now all in full flower and the blooms are huge so I'd recommend moving them but not now, wait until the Autumn.
  • coccinellacoccinella Posts: 1,428
    I have moved a peony last October as it was in the wrong place for me. Now I have two because I must have left some behind ... both flowered. I would wait for autumn.

    ps I still have a plant in the wrong place.  :D

    Luxembourg
  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    @coccinella - that's a nice problem to have!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's a myth that they don't like being moved as @KeenOnGreen says. 
    Young plants, too deep and simply timing, are the main reasons for not flowering. They don't all flower at exactly the same time. 
    As long as they're healthy, and have well developed buds , they'll flower. If they're small plants, it may well be next year before you get flowers.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Big Blue SkyBig Blue Sky Posts: 716
    I planted a peony five years ago, for four years it was not flowering (except for maybe one small flower per season), so last autumn I decided to dispose of it. But forgot to do it over winter. This year it is having a good few huge beautiful flowers. Must have gotten the message 😄 So yes, sometimes it just needs time…
    Surrey
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