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Moving a mature Peony

JohnjoeJohnjoe Posts: 77
in Problem solving
I have a mature Peony, Karl Rosenfield, about 5 years old I think. It was, until early last year,  very happily housed in a very large terracotta pot, probably 2.5ft H by 2ft wide, and in a very sunny position just by our kitchen door, so it did need constant daily watering when in the green and flowering, it seemed a very greedy plant. Unfortunately, after a bad storm (Eunice) early last year, a fence came down and tipped the pot, smashing it to pieces. I decided to move it to a raised bed, dappled shade, it greened up very well last summer, and has done the same again, but again no flowers but growing well. When I moved from pot to bed, the plant was dormant. I have heard Peonys do like being moved, so should I wait to see what happens next summer, or move again come the dormant period? Any advice is welcomed, as ever, thanks!

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They can sulk for a little while, and can take a season to settle the root systems properly again,  but the  usual reason for non flowering is that they've been planted too deep. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JohnjoeJohnjoe Posts: 77
    Yes, I made the point at keeping it at the exact same level. I have thinly mulched with some bark earlier this year, maybe I should clear that away?

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd never use bark round peonies. Far too heavy and solid. Just some compost is fine around them but avoid burying the crown more  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JohnjoeJohnjoe Posts: 77
    I'll have a rummage around the base today

  • DaveGreigDaveGreig Posts: 189
    They can sulk for a while that’s for sure. When I move them, I tend to split them because they seem to respond well to this. I moved one that had been in situ for 10years last spring, split it down the middle with a spade and both halves have had flowers this season. 

    If yours are greening up with healthy foliage just be patient and the too short but lovely  flowering season will happen eventually.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I must stop skimming topic titles and start reading them properly.  I read it as 'Moving a mature pony' and thought what the....... :)
  • MikeOxgreenMikeOxgreen Posts: 812
    I thought the same, 'Put it in a horse box like most people do'.
     :D 
  • JohnjoeJohnjoe Posts: 77
     :D 
  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    I've found they move quite well.As with many other plants moving them during the heat of summer requires a bit more care. I normally water them well before before the transplant,  take as much of the soil as is reasonable and then keep them well watered over the following couple of weeks.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I’ve also found they move and split ok,  takes a couple of years to flower but they will. Not sure I’d actually do it in this dry weather though,  I’ve only moved them when they’ve finished flowering and they’ve died down, 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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