Q&A for How to Divide and Transplant Peonies

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Can peonies be dug up and divided in the spring?

Community Answer

Yes. Water the plant really well the day before, as that makes it come out easier.

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Question

Do peonies have seeds?

Community Answer

Absolutely. The seeds are inside the pods. Snip the pods off after they have bloomed and turned brown. Then, store them in a cool, dark place until you're ready to plant them.

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Question

If a peony plant has been stomped on, will it come back in the spring?

Community Answer

There are too many variables to this question, but in general, it is very hard to kill a well-established peony plant.

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Question

Can I divide and transplant peonies in the spring?

Community Answer

Yes, that's fine; do it when the plants are about 6 - 8 inches tall.

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Question

My peony was planted too deep and is not flowering. Can I replant it?

Rodger Tucker

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Make sure to use loose soil and have the eyes of the root facing upwards.

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Question

My peonies have completely thinned to nothing in the center, leaving a ring of growth circling the empty center. Can I dig up and replant them into the center of the surrounding ring?

Community Answer

Find out if some sort of root rot is going on first. Or, did a critter find its way to it? Are they having an overcrowding issue going on? You'll have to do some investigation first.

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Question

How long will it take for my transplanted peony to bloom?

Community Answer

Everything depends on the conditions prior to planting. If you do everything right, then I would expect 20% - 30% blooming during the first year. However, the second year would be much more plentiful.

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Question

Will my peonies cross breed and produce different colors if I put them in the same flower bed?

Community Answer

They can, if multiple types of peonies are grown in the same area and the seeds are saved and grown.

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Question

I have a brand new peony, and it's been a very wet winter. How often should I water it?

Community Answer

Do not water it if the soil is already wet; let the ground dry.

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Question

How do I take care of peonies in the fall?

Rodger Tucker

Community Answer

It is always a good practice to cut them all down at ground level in the fall months after the blooming/growing season. Doing this helps direct all the energy to the root systems.

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Question

What if the roots are dry?

Rodger Tucker

Community Answer

They can almost come back from the dead if they can be kept in a very damp and heavily composted soil (not too deep), just a couple inches or so, out of direct sunlight.

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Question

What's the best time to plant peony seeds in NY?

Community Answer

It is always best to plant any seeds for flowering plants after the last frost has passed. For the Capital District area, it is early May. Mothers Day is always a good guideline for the planting season.

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Question

My peony has not bloomed in almost 30 years, The leaves look healthy. It has had buds a few times, as well as ants, but the buds dry up and that's it. What's wrong?

Community Answer

I would think it's either buried too deep or it's not getting enough hours of sunlight.

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Question

Do peonies have to be planted in the ground? Can they grow well in a large container?

Community Answer

I successfully grow peonies in large containers. Don’t expect profuse flowering the first year. Remember to plant in rich soil and mulch in November. I use tomato food throughout the spring and summer.

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Question

My peony has not flowered in the last three years. It gets lots of green leaves but no flowers. Should I dig it out and start again?

Community Answer

Possibly it is not receiving enough fertilizer or sunlight. Flowering requires energy which comes from both those sources. Fertilize and see if that helps. If it doesn't, then try moving your peony to a sunnier spot. Sometimes a nearby tree will grow tall enough to block sunlight a peony had in the past.

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