Question about peonies

[cowgirl524]

Hello! I'm relatively new to gardening, but I'm learning. I've read up on peonies, but I still have a question. A lot of what I've read said something about air circulation being important. The place I'm looking at putting peonies in my garden is in a border garden that's about 20" wide, which backs up to a stockade wood fence. Does anyone know if

Comments

[mamculuna]

I can't grown peonies in my hot part of the world, but a relative had gorgeous ones planted in a border about that wide along the side of a brick house, and they thrived for many years. I'm guessing that leaving enough room between plants will give them the circulation they need.

[virginiadear]

@ mamculuna: You're sure (that you can't grow peonies where you are?) P. Allen Smith designed a successful peony garden (or bed) for a client or customer in southwest Georgia. He says selecting a suitable cultivar is key.

OP, often plants appreciate a bit of a windbreak, such as your fence. You just don't want plants planted so densely that their leaves are touching or are actually crowded, pushing and bending one another: it's very important that after a rain or after watering (hose or sprinkler or "wand") that those leaves have a chance to air-dry, as it were, moving freely if there is a breeze.

[mamculuna]

I've heard there were varieties that would work here. I'll have to look for a good cultivar. I have a friend who's a master gardener here--I'll ask if she knows one. I do love them. But to survive in my yard, they have to be pretty tough and self-sufficient, sadly.

[cowgirl524]

Thanks, that's what I thought but it's better to check!

[cat63]

I had a peony in my last garden. I dug it up and moved it - three times from the same spot....

I think they're a bit tougher than they're given credit for :)

[cowgirl524]

I'm so glad, they're gorgeous but some sites I looked at make it sound like you have to pamper them to make them grow!

[cat63]

Apologies for the deleted reply - I'm having trouble getting Firefox to post comments and that was the link for this age in another browser that does it properly...

What I was actually posting to say was that it may depend what variety the peony is - mine was already resident in the garden, so I don't know what it was, but there may be more delicate varieties out there...

[rhysande]

Peonies grow up to 3' wide. If you are planning on planting your peony near the front edge of your garden bed it should have enough room.

General info for anyone new to peonies: Peonies produce a nectar that attracts ants. Take that into account when you decide where to plant. If you plant peonies too close to your house you may end up with an ant problem in your house once the blooming season is over.

[cowgirl524]

Good to know about the ants, we've had enough ant issues in our house lately! Fortunately this is at the back of my lot where my garden is.

Thanks for the advice. :-)

[arylkin]

Interesting- thanks! I didn't know about the ants.

[squid_ink]

they'll be fine. I have some (at my job, zone 5) right up against a stone wall and they always bloom a little earlier then the ones I have at home in an open space

the wall will add as protection for the plant.

yes they do get huge if they're happy, after a couple of years

and the ants are a good thing, they're eating the aphids. Ants on a peony is a healthy sign

but make sure to stake them, they're 'floppy'

[cowgirl524]

Thanks for the tips, I appreciate it!

[dramama]

Peonies are my favorites and I have a gabzillion of them -- just about everywhere. When they get to big, I just dig them up, slice them up, and replant. They really are fairly hardy.

The one thing I've read about them is that the leaf foliage needs to be cut back in the fall to prevent fungus from forming in the corms. Eh. Sometimes I cut mine back (and do not compost the cuttings), some years I don't get around to it. I've never had a problem. But people do say that is a problem.

[cowgirl524]

I'm glad they're hardy, I think they're so gorgeous! Thanks for the tips!