Has there ever been a more anticipated Spring?
The thought of warmer weather, regular sunny skies and upcoming blooms has me practically giddy.
I’m so ready for it. And I’ll bet you are too.
This year, I have peonies on my plate… or rather peonies on my mind.
First, let me be clear that the pretty peonies in that first photo are artificial.
Oh, how I wish I could grow them myself to look just as plump and lovely.
For the last few years, I’ve tried my hand at growing pretty peonies.
With that in mind, I have my hands on a few bulbs that I hope will produce the peonies just the way I love them.
Every year, I start out optimistically with grand plans and big hope for beautiful, homegrown buds.
And every year, unknown underground vermin and above-ground pests deflate those efforts.
I am not deterred and this year, I’m trying again.
On that note, I recently picked up half a dozen bulbs to give it another go.
Now, I did have tamp down my enthusiasm a bit after my local nursery suggested I give it another few weeks before actually putting these bulbs into the ground.
Peony Nursery Insights
- Planting location is important. Peonies love full sun and will do best when planted in well-drained soil.
- Include a handful of all-purpose organic, granular fertilizer at the bottom of the hole before planting the bulb. Then, mix a small amount to the original soil to cover it.
- As peonies grow, be prepared to provide them with support as their stems can get leggy and heavy.
- A yearly application of organic all-purpose fertilizer is also recommended to keep peonies thriving year after year.
I’ve been studying homegrown peony efforts for a few years now.
My understanding is that these beautiful plants rarely fully bloom in the their fist year, and it could take as long as three years for consistent blooming.
I know, good things take time.
That’s all the more reason to get these puppies successfully in the ground,
I’m ready to start that clock.
Oh, here’s one more picture below, featuring peonies that truly inspire me to grow my own.
These may be artificial blooms but hopefully, one day… I’ll have the real thing.
I’m keeping my fingers (and challenged green thumb) crossed.
By the way, if you love these artificial florals, you can buy the same one’s HERE.
Also, you can see how I use artificial blooms in my styling efforts in my previous post entitled FAB FAUX FLORALS.
Thanks for popping by for a look at my Pink Peony Bulbs.
Good luck with your own Spring (and soon to be Summer) gardening efforts
Stay safe and be well and I’ll see you back here next time.♥
I miss my garden since retiring to Florida and an 8th floor condo. I grew peonies and loved them also. One thing I remember about them is to plant the bulbs in shallow soil, so the crown stays above ground.
Thanks, Lois.
I imagine once you’ve enjoyed homegrown peonies, they’re quite easy to miss.
Peonies are among my favorite flowers and I really hope I have better luck with them this year.
I’m going to plant them in a few short weeks as soon as there’s no chance of another frost.
Meanwhile, if you can’t grow your own anymore, the artificial ones are lovely too-lol.
Happy weekend to you.
Can’t wait till Peony season and cutting some flowers for a fragrant bouquet.. I try to plant a few each year to increase my collection. I place a mental plant stand over them as soon as I see the pink tips coming up and the stand protects and supports them as they grow and bloom. Protects the flowers from getting knocked down by Peony rain as I call those heavy showers
just when they are at their peak. When the Peonies are done I remove the stands and use them for my containers on my deck. Win, Win.
Hi Kathy, thanks so much for sharing your tip for supporting Peonies.
I was thrilled with my first shot at Peonies (in pots) last year and I’m hoping for success this year too.
Good luck with your plantings this season.
I’d love to see a photo, if you care to email me one.
Have a lovely week.
xoxo
Hi, In what climate do you live? Peonies require a hard winter freeze to properly set buds that will result in blooms. I have tried for years to get them to bloom in the Charlotte, NC area with little success. One year we had a harsh winter and I was rewarded with 30 or so blooms. Last year I only had a few. It was suggested each week during winter to dump excess ice on the crowns of the plants, but frankly, I was not consistent and the results were not noticeable. If you live in a warm climate remember also to set your plants so that the top of the root is at soil level–in harsher climates, it’s recommended to bury them deeper. Good growing!
Thanks so much, Roy.
You’re so wonderful to share your insights and advice.
I’ve never heard of supplementing setting buds with ice cubes. How clever.
I’ll definitely keep your suggestions in mind.
Thanks for good wishes on growing my own.
Stay safe and be well.
So beautiful. I thought they were real! I adore peonies. They grew so easily in the midwest, and like you, I struggle with them here in GA. But hope springs eternal…….Thanks for the link. May have to just satisfy myself with the faux blooms. No ants on those, at least. Happy Spring!
Thanks, Jae.
Yes, artificial blooms are working for me in the meantime.
I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that I can grow my own.
Time will tell.
I’m putting these bulbs in the ground at the end of the month.
Wish me luck.
I’m in the u k love peonies Had some for years always a picture Last year some nasty person poisoned them I am 80 havn’t been out for more than a year, dont see anyone so who or why?
Frances, that breaks my heart to read that.
People can be so mean and disgusting.
I hope you’re not discouraged to plant more to replace the ones that were destroyed.
Good luck to you.
Do you know how to divide the Peonies? When? I’ve had mine for 8-10 years and believe they need division? Thanks , love you 😍
Hi Eaton,
You’ve already informed me of something, just with your question.
I didn’t even know that Peonies could be divided. I’ve never gotten far enough in any peony success to even get to that point-lol.
Hopefully, this will be a different year for me and these new bulbs will take.
Thankfully,my husband has a green thumb. Maybe I can persuade him to plant a few more this year.
That would be wonderful, Linda.
You. can never have too many flowers in your life.
Nice that your hubby is into gardening too.
Stay safe and well in your neck of the woods.
With regard to dividing peonies, the best time is in early spring, just when the buds are barely poking up through the soil. Care must be taken when digging them up; they have thick, almost trunk-like roots that can easily snap or get sliced in half by a shovel.
Linda, what great advice and you’re so sweet to share it with me.
I’m going to do everything I can to grow peonies this year and tips like this go a long way toward future efforts.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave some good info here.
Happy Spring and good luck with your gardening this season.
Stay safe.