1. Dig a planting hole about twice the size of the plant (root ball) you’ll be placing there;
2. Don’t dig the hole too deep (usually about 10–15 cm), and loosen the bottom of the hole well;
3. Place the plant in the hole. The roots can be positioned horizontally, with the eyes facing upward (!). Gently firm the soil; the plant should sit so that the top eyes are 2–5 cm below the soil surface (about “two finger-widths” deep).
4. Backfill the hole and place a small stick or marker at the spot—this will remind you (until it emerges in February/March) not to plant anything else too close.

October is the best month to plant peonies. We only lift and process peonies during the early natural dormant period: from mid-September to mid-November. This way, the plant’s natural rhythm isn’t disrupted and the quality remains at the highest possible level.

This time of year is also ideal for replanting peonies: the plants form new fine roots using the last remaining warmth in the soil. This helps them establish well in their new spot. It gives the best chance of first-year flowering because it supports the strongest growth and establishment.

Our plants are usually shipped in the first half of October. After delivery, it’s always best to plant them as soon as possible.

The most important thing is well-draining soil. Peonies do not tolerate “wet feet.” If they sit too wet, it can cause root rot and the plants may even die. If your garden is on the wet side, it’s best to plant the peony on a raised ridge or mound. This means raising the soil locally to ensure good drainage.

Plant in a spot that is not too sheltered. A location with too little airflow can encourage fungal diseases such as Botrytis in wet years. Good air circulation is therefore important.

Peonies also need plenty of sunlight. Full sun all day is ideal, but partial shade can work as well. If plants are in too much shade, they will grow tall and leggy and produce no flowers. Avoid planting too close to large shrubs or trees, as peonies then face unfair competition. Shallow rooted trees and shrubs in particular can take almost all the water and nutrients from the peonies.

Never plant in a spot where peonies have grown before. Peonies release certain substances into the soil that can cause a new plant in the same place to establish poorly. The risk of harmful soil organisms, such as fungal diseases and root nematodes, is also higher in the same planting location. In horticultural terms, the soil is often described as “tired” in such an old spot.

After the first growing season, peonies can increase greatly in size, so make sure each plant has about 0.75 to 1 m² of space. For group plantings, a spacing of at least 80 cm between plants is recommended. We often advise home gardeners to create dedicated peony borders.

Give peonies plenty of space. We’re happy to advise you on topics such as how many plants to use in your border, which cultivars to choose, where to place them, and more. Send us a message if you’d like to plant a beautiful peony border. We’d be delighted to help.

Planting depth is very important. The top eyes, usually the flower buds, should be placed just below the soil surface. If they are set too deep, the plant will, at best, produce only leaves. Like all plants, peonies want to survive.

If a peony is planted too deep, it will try to produce new growth higher up, essentially creating a “new plant” at the correct depth so it can flower.
However, this process can take several years, which is often far too long when you bought the plant with high expectations. In the worst case, if peonies are planted too deep, no above-ground growth appears at all. Deeper in the soil it often stays wet for too long, which can cause the plants to rot.

Peonies generally do well in all soil types. In general, the heavier the soil, the slower the plant establishes, meaning it can take longer before the first flowers appear. This isn’t negative at all; on the contrary, in the long run a firm clay soil, for example, can be ideal. Overall, loam, peat, and clay soils are excellent.

Soils with a pH of 6.5–7.5 are ideal. On acidic soils (pH below 6.5), it’s recommended to mix some lime into the planting hole, and you can add a little lime each year to raise the pH. On alkaline (“sweet”) soils (pH above 7.5), it’s advisable to work in garden peat or another acidifying material.

Peonies can also grow well in light sandy soils, but they do require more attention. It’s recommended to water and feed more regularly on these soils. Even better is to enrich the soil at the planting site.

A good method is to dig a hole about 50 cm deep and roughly 40 × 40 cm wide. Place a layer of about 25 cm of well-rotted cattle manure and or bone meal in the bottom, then fill above it with the replacement soil. A mix of clay, sand, and garden soil is ideal in a 60 20 20 ratio. Using only clay is also possible, but expect a longer growing period before the plant reaches full maturity.

A peony is best to start with as a bare-root plant in autumn. A bare-root plant bought in spring and kept for several months will always lose some vitality. It also misses the crucial growth period before winter, which makes it harder to establish and means you’ll have to wait longer for flowering.

Peonies are usually sold in pots. Although potted plants look attractive, it’s always better to buy a peony as a bare-root plant in autumn and plant it in your garden. Peonies sometimes get a reputation for being difficult or poor bloomers because they’re mainly sold in pots. But that isn’t true at all.

If you buy a peony in a large pot size, it will likely flower in the first year, because the roots were grown by the nursery in open ground before the plant was potted up. When you then plant it in your garden, it takes at least a year to rebuild a strong enough root system to produce flowers again.

If you can’t plant peonies in the ground, it’s a good idea to grow them in a pot on your balcony or patio. Always use a very large pot or container. Try to use a heavier potting mix that doesn’t stay too wet and still has enough air in it. Feed moderately by mixing in some compost. It’s best to try a common cultivar before buying an exclusive one. Keeping a peony flowering in a pot for several years isn’t easy, but for the true enthusiast it’s a wonderful challenge.