Everything You Need to Know About When to Plant Peonies
Updated: Nov. 23, 2023
This guide explains what you need to know about when to plant peonies—plus, we're sharing the peonies that people can't get enough of!
Summer may already be in our rear-view mirror, but there’s quite a bit to do outside before it gets too cold. It’s the perfect time to plant a fall flower garden! This is when to start looking for breathtaking new hydrangeas and peonies to take your outdoor living space from drab to fab.
When to Plant Peonies
Fall and spring are the best times to plant these technicolor flowers. Peonies aren’t not frost tender (meaning they aren’t damaged by winter frosts), so they can be planted in whatever season works best for you. Late September and October are the prime months to take action.
The Peonies We’re Planting Right Now
Peonies come in a variety of bold colors, including pink, red, orange, yellow and white. But there’s also a special kind of peony that changes color as it blooms, and it’s called the Command Performance peony. The petals starts out deep red, then transforms to dark orange, peach and cream. Talk about gorgeous! Command Performance also has huge, fragrant blooms, but that’s just icing on the cake.
What You’ll Need to Plant Peonies
Read our expert guide to learn how to care for peonies.
How to Plant Peony Roots
When planting peonies, space them about 3-4 feet apart. They should be placed no deeper than 2 inches below soil level. Peonies do best in full sun (about six hours of sunlight) with spots of shade, but the more shade they collect, the less flowers there are likely to be. Keep that in mind when finding the perfect spot for your new flowers.
Peonies grow best in well-drained soil and need to be watered at least once a week, especially if there’s a dry spell. There should be enough water to saturate the top five inches of soil. Compost, bonemeal, manure and fertilizer with high amounts of potassium and phosphorus will help your flowers develop.
Originally Published: September 10, 2021
