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Planting peonies in spring

While some gardeners would prefer to plant peonies in the fall, lots of us flower lovers end up planting peonies in the spring. There always seem to be so many different peony varieties available when the garden centers open in the springtime. It’s hard to resist adding a few to the garden.

Buying peony plants in spring

Herbaceous peony plants are sold growing in two different forms in the springtime:

  • Potted peonies (potted plant with a few dark red stems growing up – see planting tutorial video above this section)
  • Bare root peonies (dormant tubers in a bag with sawdust/peat – see planting tutorial video below this section)

Both potted peony plants and dormant bare-root peonies are easy to plant. Here are two videos I made showing the two different planting methods:

Potted peony plants can go into the ground in the spring as soon as the ground thaws and has dried out a bit from the spring melt. Dig a wide, shallow planting hole that’s only as deep as the soil in the planter pot. Carefully remove the plant pot from the root area and place the plant into the hole. Backfill with the soil that came out of the hole. Water deeply and mulch the surrounding soil surface. Read more details about how to plant peonies that come in pots.

Bare-root peony plants can also be planted once the ground thaws and dries out from the melting snow/early spring rains. Soak the peony in clean water to hydrate the roots for an hour or two.

Dig a wide, shallow planting hole. Examine the peony root and look for the pink growth buds called “eyes.” These will become the stems and should be placed facing upward in the hole. Try to plant the peony root with the “eyes” about 1″ below the final soil surface. Hold the peony root while you backfill, being careful not to knock off any eyes. Read more about how to plant peony roots in the garden.

Potted peonies are generally larger and more expensive than bare-root peonies. Some specialty peonies may only be available in bare root form.

Yellow crown peony plant
Yellow peony varieties are becoming easier to find (yay!)

Tips for planting peonies in spring

Here are my top tips for planting peonies in spring:

  • Shop and plant early: get them in the ground in March or April
  • Bare root plants are generally cheaper than potted plants
  • Potted plants have a better chance of flowering this season (but in general, the planting year is never great for flowers)
  • Water the peony plant well before planting (bare roots can be soaked in water for a few hours)
  • Dig a hole in the soil that is twice as wide as the plant but no deeper. Ensure the ground soil is moist.
  • The soil surface of potted peonies should line up with the existing soil level in your garden. Bare root peonies should be planted 1″-2″ below the soil surface. Planting peonies too deep can restrict blooming.
  • Apply quality organic mulch like homemade compost or composted yard trimmings to the soil surface after planting.
  • Keep the plant well-watered throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

“If you buy plants in bloom at a local nursery in spring, be careful not to plant them any deeper than they were growing in their nursery pot. Plant peonies with the “eyes” -the tips of the pointed, pinkish new stems – just 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface in northern gardens, or close to the soil surface in warm climates.”

Rodale’s Basic Organic Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Healthy Garden, by Deborah L. Martin
Planting bare root peony - perennial flower garden tips
This is what a bare-root peony looks like before planting. They’re always such funny shapes! I removed this one from the plastic bag it was sold in, removed the wood shavings and peat, and soaked the root for two hours to rehydrate it. Now it’s time to plant!

Common varieties of herbaceous peonies are available in both bare root and potted form in the springtime. Specialty or rare cultivars may only be available at specific times of the year (generally for fall planting) and/or in limited forms (often bare root when shipped).

Benefits of planting peonies in spring

Here are some of the benefits of planting peonies in spring:

  • You get to the garden outside after a long winter with only houseplants and seedlings (YAY!!!)
  • Wide variety of types at local nurseries and in catalogs/online
  • Most types are in stock and available for immediate purchase
  • Instant garden gratification (or even pot them up if you don’t have a place for them right away….ahem….)
Newly-planted peony plant in perennial border flower garden

Drawbacks of planting peonies in spring

Some gardeners will only plant peonies in the fall. Here are some of the drawbacks of planting peonies in spring:

  • Potential for delayed growth due to non-dormant transplanting
  • Need to be watered after transplant more than fall-planted peonies (I recommend installing drip irrigation for peonies)
  • May not bloom in the first year (this year is more like growing year zero than growing year one)
  • No end-of-season blowout sales offered by retailers yet

So, a peony planted in spring can certainly be expected to survive and thrive with dedicated TLC – it just may take a year or two for the flowers we all love. The year when it flowers should be considered its growing “Year One.”

Fresh white peony blooms in glass jar on wood table - festiva maxima peonies
Freshly picked ‘festiva maxima’ white peonies in a mason jar in june

Peony varieties to consider planting

I planted some lovely types of peony flowers in my garden last spring. Here are a few of the peony varieties I planted:

Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a quintessential Canadian gardener. An engineer by trade, she tends to an ever-expanding collection of plants. In her world, laughter blooms as freely as her flowers, and every plant is raised with a dash of Canadian grit.

Mary Jane is a certified Master Gardener and also holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. She's also a proud mom of three, teaching her little sprouts the crucial difference between a garden friend and foe.

When she's not playing in the dirt, Mary Jane revels in her love for Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, ice hockey, and the surprisingly soothing sounds of bluegrass covers of classic hip-hop songs. She invites you to join her garden party, a place where you can share in the joy of growing and where every day is a new opportunity to find the perfect spot for yet another plant.

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