Category Archives: Seasonal

Why and How to Deadhead Your Peonies After Flowering

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Why and How to Deadhead Your Peonies After Flowering

If you're lucky enough to enjoy the spectacular blooms of Primrose Hall Peonies in your garden, you'll know there's nothing quite like their luxurious petals and heady fragrance in late spring and early summer. But what happens once those beautiful flowers have finished blooming? It’s time to deadhead your peonies.

What is Deadheading?

Deadheading is the process of removing spent flowers from plants. In the case of peonies, deadheading doesn’t just tidy up the plant – it plays a crucial role in encouraging healthy growth, preventing seed formation, and maintaining the overall appearance of your garden.

Why Should You Deadhead Peonies?

Once peony flowers have faded, they start to form seed pods. While this is a natural process, allowing the plant to focus energy on seed production can weaken the root system and reduce next year’s blooms. By deadheading peonies, you're helping the plant conserve its energy and direct it towards strengthening its roots and foliage, rather than producing seeds.

Here are the top benefits of deadheading peonies:

  • Promotes vigorous root growth
  • Keeps the plant looking neat and attractive
  • Reduces risk of fungal diseases
  • Improves the quality of next year’s blooms

When to Deadhead Peonies

The best time to deadhead peonies is as soon as the blooms begin to fade and petals start to fall. Depending on the variety and location, this is typically in late May to early July. Be sure to check your peonies regularly so you can deadhead them promptly.

How to Deadhead Peonies: Step-by-Step

Deadheading peonies is a simple task that requires only a clean, sharp pair of secateurs or garden scissors.

1. Identify spent blooms: Look for flowers that have faded, lost their colour, or started to drop petals.
2. Make your cut: Cut the flower stem just above the first set of healthy leaves. This helps maintain the plant’s shape while preserving foliage needed for photosynthesis.
3. Avoid cutting too low: Don’t cut into the main stem or remove too many leaves – they’re vital for storing energy in the root system.
4. Dispose of cuttings: Collect and discard all deadheaded flowers to avoid attracting pests or mould.

Caring for Peonies After Deadheading

After deadheading, continue to care for your peonies by:

  • Watering regularly during dry spells
  • Feeding with a balanced fertiliser
  • Mulching in autumn to retain moisture and improve soil health but not around the crown of the peony - be care not to allow mulch to build up around the base of the peony as this can cause your peony to stop flowering.

Keep Your Peonies Thriving

Deadheading is just one of the many ways to keep your Primrose Hall Peonies in peak condition year after year. With proper care, these timeless perennials will continue to reward you with breathtaking blooms and lush, healthy foliage.

For lots of peony care advice see Alec's book all about peonies.

Why Are My Peonies Not Blooming?

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Why Aren’t My Peonies Blooming? Here’s What You Need to Know

There’s nothing quite like the anticipation of seeing your peonies burst into bloom—their lush, romantic flowers are a highlight of any garden. But what if your plant looks healthy, with vibrant green foliage, yet fails to produce a single flower? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. It’s a common question we’re asked at Primrose Hall Peonies, and the good news is that it’s usually down to a few simple factors that can be easily resolved.

Planting Depth Matters

The most frequent culprit is incorrect planting depth. Peonies are particular about how deep they’re planted. If the crown—or the ‘eyes’ where the flower shoots emerge—is buried too deep (more than 2.5 to 5cm beneath the soil surface), your plant may grow plenty of leaves but never bloom. This is a common mistake, especially when planting bare-root peonies. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix. If you suspect your peony is planted too deeply, consider lifting and replanting it in the autumn at the correct depth.

Sunlight Is Essential

Peonies are sun worshippers. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day to perform well. While they can tolerate a little light shade, especially in very hot regions, too much shade will result in fewer, weaker blooms—or no blooms at all. If your peony is planted near trees or overshadowed by taller plants or buildings, consider relocating it to a sunnier spot in the garden. Peonies don’t like being disturbed too often, but they will recover if moved in the autumn when they are dormant.

Be Patient

Peonies are not fast performers. It’s normal for them to take a couple of years to settle in and start blooming after being planted or moved. During this time, the plant is developing its root system and storing energy for future growth. While it can be frustrating to wait, the long-term reward is well worth it. A happy peony will flower reliably for decades—some have even been known to live and bloom for over 100 years.

Avoid Overfeeding

Feeding your peony too much, especially with nitrogen-rich fertilisers, can also lead to leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Peonies are not heavy feeders. A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring or just after flowering is usually sufficient. Avoid adding compost or mulch directly over the crown, as this can encourage rot and further bury the buds.

Final Thoughts

If your peony isn’t blooming, it’s usually down to one (or a combination) of these factors: it’s planted too deep, it’s not getting enough sun, it’s still establishing itself, or it’s been overfed. With a few small adjustments and a little patience, you can look forward to an abundance of beautiful blooms in the seasons to come.

At Primrose Hall Peonies, we’re passionate about helping gardeners get the very best from their plants. Browse our collection or get in touch for expert advice on planting, care, and selecting the perfect peony for your garden.

Last of the Summer Flower Shows 2022

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Think forest bathing entails frolicking around in the woods in the buff being anointed by waterfalls?

Well, it can.

But there are many other ways to enjoy this activity, as was shown in the Forest Bathing Garden display at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival earlier this month.

And some of our own became Gold Medalists! (pictured right)

Here’s a bit more about what went on:

Forest Bathing Garden

As we were saying, if you find being in forests brings out your inner nymph, you would’ve loved this. Forest bathing, traditionally practiced in Japan, is a restful activity allowing you to take in all the sights, sounds, feels and smells of nature. The aim with this experience was to encourage mindfulness in becoming fully aware of everything surrounding you. To be fully present with what is now.

The John King Brain Tumour Foundation Garden

This was an example of a hospital rooftop garden providing a much needed sanctuary for patients and staff to experience the calming effects of nature. This transformation of what would otherwise be unutilised, bare spaces also attracted wildlife which added to the harmony. A beautiful sculpture by Emma Rodgers and the blue and yellow colouring of the planters around it were a show of appreciation to the NHS. Even better is that this garden is now living on after the festival at the Atkinson Morley Wing at St George’s Hospital.

Connections Garden

This one was representative of Alzheimer’s Research UK, showing the impact a dementia diagnosis has on the family and friend’s. Across the front of the garden was a felled tree with saplings growing around it. The woodland entrance lead to a pathway surrounded with black, yarn-bombed synapse-like structures – conveying the confusion and disorientation of dementia – and out into a tranquil garden with Scotch thistles and giant scabious.

If you are sad you missed all this, you’ll want to get yourself to the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

Along with good food, music and cooking demonstrations as well as fun and earth-friendly activities for the young of age and at heart, here’s a little sample of what else to expect:

  • BBC Radio 2 and The One Show’s Sow, Grow and Show sporting a competition table with cut flowers and bizarre and beautiful vegetable varieties
  • The RHS and BBC North West Tonight Community Urban Garden of plants that take care of air pollution and raised beds for communal vegetable growing
  • Community Borders’ accessible planting schemes that encourage a diversity of wild-life
  • Greener Front Garden on how to transform a small, dull outdoor space into something inspiring and useful

 

There will also be The Practical Gardening Theatre where young gardeners will be encouraged to go green with helpful tips and of course plenty of flowers and plants to be inspired by in the Floral Marquee and Plant Village. As well as:

Come Lime With Me

Think “Come Dine with Me” but inspired by the designer’s Anglo-Guyanese ethnicity, this garden will show us how to “lime” - a Guyanese/Caribbean slang word for “the art of doing nothing while sharing food, drink, conversation and laughter”. Water will also be a key feature of this display depicting the concern around rising sea levels which is a serious threat to these coastal countries.

Literally Littoral

Speaking of water, this one features a water-wise “rain garden” and is made from recycled materials such as steel water tanks, scaffold boards, stone, gravel, grit and sand. A fine example of affordable, eco-friendly design that makes use of plants that are hardy along coastal areas and prevents flash flooding.

Could Car Less

Inspired by the Community garden project “Taking Root in Bootle” in 2021 by the Regenerus charity, this display shows innovative ways in which to ditch the car in favour of the more earth friendly bicycle for commuting. They will also demonstrate how to harvest rain water and practice dry-garden planting.

The Vitamin G Garden

And when it comes to the mental, physical and social benefits of gardening, well we all need a bit of 'vitamin G' in our lives. This garden will show different ways in which we can get our daily dose in spaces for contemplation, relaxation and restoration through art, plants, meditation, yoga and interacting with others.

Intrigued?

Get those tickets here.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 – A Sneak Peek

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The dress code at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show these days might feel a little casual for some – more jeans and t-shirts, less royal frocks and hats.

But there is still plenty of glamour to be enjoyed! Wafting around surrounded by blooms with a glass of Pimm’s or bubbly in hand sounds pretty glamorous to me! No matter how you’re dressed.

Or even undressed...

Remember our nude peony-ed model at the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show (pictured right)? We had such fun.

This year we are excited to be back in full bloom and having a ball exhibiting at the Floral Marquee at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022.

 

What We've Been Up To

With so many colours, shapes, scents and varieties to choose from, we can say that there certainly is a peony to suit every garden style and choice. Their delicate but blousy blooms enchant visitors to the show year after year and we want this year to be the most memorable peony exhibit yet.

It has been nearly two years since we have displayed peonies in their full glory at the RHS Chelsea so we are delighted to be back and full force, bringing back some fun after the difficult two years of the pandemic.

Our exhibit has been in the making for the last 18 months with a photoshoot taking place on the nursery last Spring.

As the largest exhibit we have ever undertaken, our team is hard at work growing over one thousand peonies for the display.

Send us all your growing vibes please!

 

What Will You See?

We are creating an experience where you'll find yourself immersed in the wondrous world of peonies and falling in love with them as much as we have, appreciating all of their unique and beautiful qualities.

We hope this will stoke your desire for having your own peonies growing in your garden, even if you have never grown them before.

In our dreamy display of peonies you will be able to see yourself having fun, like you did as a kid – playing in a whimsical forest surrounded by magical flowers.

The display will feature a large backdrop image from our ethereal photoshoot. At the centre of the exhibit will be a peony-covered swing, courtesy of Sitting Spiritually, allowing you to imagine yourself enjoying the tranquility of our ‘midsummer nights dream’, experiencing the serenity that gardens can provide while feeling more connected to nature. A beautifully sculpted Fairy by Robert James and all trees provided by Valley Plants. The intoxicating fragrance of the peonies will transport you to another world, allowing you to experience the wonder and versatility of peonies.

To really get the full experience you'll want to keep an eye out for our Photocall at the show – an opportunity for you to snap some pics of a beautiful Fairy Queen in our enchanted peony forest doing what fairy queens do.

Which is?

You'll have to come and see for yourself!

And that is just the tip of the petal of what’s in store for you at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year.

So come and see us! We look forward to seeing you there.

If you haven’t got your tickets yet, you better grab ‘em here...

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

in the buff in 2019...

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022

Cut Flower Peonies – Grown at Home

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Why grow your own peony cutting garden?

Isn’t it easier to just order a bunch of blooms whenever you need one? Arranged perfectly and ready to go?

Probably.

But we think it’s more fun to grow your own, as well as these other compelling reasons:

  • You’ll have access to a wider variety of peonies.
  • You can choose the peonies you especially like and get the look you want.
  • You’ll learn more about your garden and your peonies in the process.
  • You’ll have a regular supply of peonies in season which can be more affordable in the long run.

 

Convinced?

Here’s how to get started on growing your own peonies.

Which Peonies are Best

Blooms from most herbaceous cultivars perform well in both the vase and garden.

These are some of the best peonies for cutting (some pictured right):

 

If your peonies are young (less than 3 years old) it’s unlikely you will be seeing flowers just yet.

Peonies mature relatively slowly and they will need time to establish well to be sturdy enough for flower picking.

However, they are worth the wait. Being perennials, peonies are a great choice for a cutting garden as they will come back every year to knock your gardening gloves off with their beautiful blooms.

When Planting

In cooler climates, peonies can be planted in either spring or autumn so you could get started now. Here’s how:

  • Plant in a sunny spot in well-draining soil with less frequent, longer watering to encourage deeper, stronger rooting.
  • Don’t plant them too deeply. The eyes should be no more than 2.5-5cm below the surface.
  • Make sure there is enough space between plants – at least 60cm – as peonies benefit from good air circulation. This also makes them easier to pick.
  • Keep the area weed-free so your peonies aren’t competing for nutrients.
  • Provide staking/supports if needed.
  • Include peonies of different bloom times in the same bed to avoid empty patches

 

When Picking

It’s more cutting than picking you’ll be doing as it’s best to use secateurs rather than the hand to get a good clean edge so they can draw the water up well.

The best time of day to pick/cut them is on a cool day or in the morning.

You’ll want to:

  • Make sure your secateurs or scissors are really sharp.
  • Cut peonies when the bud is quite soft but not yet opened. A gentle pinch between your forefinger and thumb should reveal that the bud is as soft as a marshmallow.
  • Pick them with a bucket of water in hand and put the stems straight in (the ends start to seal over as soon as they’re picked so if you put them straight in the water they will drink up the water more readily than later).

 

When in the Vase

If picked at the marshmallow stage, within a day or two the flowers will have opened and you should have beautiful peonies in a vase for at least a week.

Make sure to:

  • Take off the leaves that will be under the water and put a little Milton in the water. This will stop the fungal moulds from growing and prolong the life of your cut peonies.
  • Every few days, trim the stems and change the water to keep them fresh.

Preparing Peonies for Spring

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Even though it’s still chilly we’re excitedly waiting for spring to begin!

If you’re also getting into spring mode, now can be a good time to start thinking about the ways you can care for your post-winter peonies.

We are already seeing some peony shoots with the official first day of Spring on 20 March. But some peonies will only start springing up a bit later when the weather really starts warming up.

It can be quite a thrill to move the mulch and remains of winter aside and spot those first few bright pink peony shoots!

Spring Planting

If you didn’t manage to get your peonies in the ground in early autumn, that’s ok. Early spring, when the ground starts getting cosier again, is a good time to plant them too.

Remember to:

  • Plant in full sun or part shade in a sheltered position
  • Make sure the soil is free draining (no matter what type of soil you have)
  • Plant herbaceous peonies with the crown (top of the root) no more than 5cm below the ground
  • Plant grafted peonies with the graft union about 10-15cm below the ground
  • Steer clear of burying the crown when mulching
  • Mix some fertiliser such as our Spring Fertiliser with the compost when planting
  • Keep pets or young children away from your peonies at this time. The young shoots are delicate and easily broken which can lead to unwanted pests and disease

 

Spring Care and Cleaning 

  • Clear the mulch away – it’s done its job protecting your peonies from the worst of the winter so it can be cleared away as the weather gets warmer
  • They need as much sun as they can get, so don’t worry that it might be a shock after a long hibernation. Peonies love basking in the sunlight
  • Weeding around your peonies when spring comes is also important as peonies don’t compete well with weeds. Hand weeding is best and avoid using any herbicides near peony crowns or roots
  • Support your peony - If you have a peony that needs support now is the time to put your plant supports up before your peonies grow any further and you could damage any buds while putting them around you plant.

 

Spring Moving and Dividing

You can move or divide your peonies whenever they are dormant. The absolute best time is autumn while the soil is still warm but this can also be done in early spring.

However, working the soil can be difficult in early spring because of residual winter cold hanging about. So although you can divide them in spring, we recommend rather waiting until October.

But if you are going to divide in early spring, just be sure to do it before any leaves are starting to develop.

Here’s some tips:

  • Being careful not to damage any ‘eyes’ or buds that are developing at or just below surface level, dig up as big a clump as possible
  • You can divide your peony with either a sharp spade or using a pruning knife (depending on the size of the plant)
  • Ensure that each piece of root that you divide has at least 3-5 ‘eyes’ or buds
  • Whether you are moving or dividing your peony, plant it as soon as possible after lifting it to minimise disruption to the root system; ideally plant it the same day

 

And that is that!

We are sure these things will increase your enjoyment of your garden.

Winter Gardening – What to do in January

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It’s the new year!

And it’s the middle of winter!

It’s tough to feel excited about that when it’s frosty and wet outside. You look over at your garden and think there’s not much going on out there.

But the grey winteriness of January is actually a fine time to prepare for a busy spring and summer.

Here’s some suggestions.

In general

  • Keep the birds going. Winter can be hard for them as their water sources freeze and food is more scarce so keep those feeders full and leave some of the garden a little untidy (read: wild) so they and other creatures can enjoy a bit of shelter
  • Compost/re-purpose your Christmas tree
  • Make a bug hotel and help keep your gardens eco system healthy
  • Tidy up the shed/greenhouse and sharpen your tools

 

Peonies

  • As you may know, come frost or snow, peonies really revel in the winter as it’s a time for them to rest and digest and get ready for spring. If you’ve cut them back in autumn once the leaves had wilted and put a little mulch around them (not in the middle) you can leave them be. They are hardy to about -20C and usually flower better than ever after a cold winter
  • If you didn’t cut the leaves back it’s best to do so as soon as possible to prevent the wet from bringing on the mould. And if there’s already some mould on the remains, don’t compost this foliage, rather put it straight in the bin. That’s the kind of love you don’t want to spread

 

Other Plants

  • Plan what you want to plant in spring and order the seeds, bulbs and tubers now
  • Check any supports or protection you put around your plants are still enduring
  • Look out for weeds and remove from the root
  • Get those bare root plants in now such as fruit trees, shrubs, hedges, peonies, roses and hardy geraniums
  • If you have already have fruit trees, shrubs, bushes and roses, now’s a good time to prune them
  • Dahlia can be uprooted, dried out and stored inside now to protect them from the harsh winter conditions. See how to overwinter them here
  • Harvest winter veg such as parsnips, kale, brussel sprouts and leek
  • Grow some microgreens or sprout some sprouts in your kitchen

 

After Heavy Snow

  • Remove snow from greenhouses and hedges to prevent damage
  • Try not to walk on the grass after heavy snow or frost as it will damage it. But if you must make a snowman, the fun is worth the risk

 

Indoor Container Plants

  • Make sure indoor plants are well hydrated and misted often as central heating can dry the air out and damage them

 

Outdoor Container Plants

  • Make sure your outside plants are getting enough water especially if partly sheltered. The soil should be damp by at least a hand’s depth
  • At the same time, you don’t want them too wet. Raise outdoor container plants onto feet or bricks to avoid them having soggy “feet”

 

As you can see, there’s plenty to do so we better get going!

Peony of the Month and Gifts!

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What would Christmas be without red?

We picked this one as our peony of the month for that very reason - its rich red Christmassy hue.

‘Scarlet Heaven’ is an unusual, rare and highly collectable intersectional peony with large, single, bright crimson red flowers. This is a mid season bloomer with golden-yellow anthers and finely cut divided green foliage turning red in spring and autumn. The stems are sturdy, so no staking is required.

Red Itoh peonies are rare and ‘Scarlet Heaven’ is known to be one of the best of the reds as it performs very well.

Reminisce

Although they won’t be flowering at this time of year, when you do see them flowering from May - June next year you will have an opportunity to reminisce about all things Christmas and how much life has changed.

Or simply just enjoy the burst of red in the garden.

And as we were speaking about in our previous post about gratitude – it could be an opportunity to reflect on the wonders of nature. How grateful we are for all those juicy underground processes that produce these fantastic flowers.

Gift Ideas

However, if you’re looking for ways to get into the blooming season spirit right now, there are other ways to give the gift of a peony.

For instance, with our giftware range!

And if you have a few friends and family with different talents, there are options for every flare:

For the Plantsman/woman:

A beautiful British Bloom collection of gardening tools (manufactured by Burgon & Ball and RHS endorsed) with a Peony and Dahlia design. The Trowel and Fork are made from hardened and tempered stainless steel for superior strength and durability (years of rust resistance) and engraved with a quote from Gertrude Jekyll:

“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies”

There are Beech Wood handled options too.

Also in this range:

 

For the Tea Lover:

An English fine bone ‘Breakfast Tea Gift Set’ belongs in every tea lovers home. Made in England together with a British artist, this collection of teapot, milk jug and printed tea towel has a delicate peony blooms, buds and bee illustration in soft light rose pink and a deeper warm pink.

Also in this range:

 

For the Chef/Baker Extraordinaire:

With the same lovely design described above, the oven gloves and apron set bring Spring back into the kitchen, no matter what the season.

For the Interior Decorator:

How about a cotton cushion cover with peony art printed on both sides?

Or beautiful works of art available as mounted prints or as framed pictures?

Both designed by Carolyn Carter who has used our award-winning peonies as inspiration to create a unique and exclusive fine art collection.

 

And if you can’t decide, perhaps a gift voucher is best.

We’re all for simplifying what can sometimes feel like a season of silliness.

May it be more merry than mad!

 

Christmas – A Time to Give Back

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Is it just me or is this year speeding to a halt?

Another year! Another December! And we’re all still around to enjoy it.

Now that’s something to be grateful for.

Another thing to be thankful for is our gardens. They are just the best little pieces of peace we could ever have. Sanctuaries. Places to experiment and learn more about life and ourselves.

This time of year is a good opportunity to think about how we can show our gratitude.

Here are some ideas:

Give to the Earth

One way you can do this is by thinking of ways we can look after the environment.

For instance, cutting down on unnecessary waste at this time by reusing old Christmas decorations. Or making your own out of natural/recycled materials.

Give to Your Peonies

While your peonies are not flowering they’re having a long, rejuvenating slumber underground.

So here are some ways you can show your peonies some gratitude for all the hard work they’ve done and are still doing:

Herbaceous and Itoh

  • With the stems and leaves having died back, trim the stems without cutting any exposed peony ‘eyes’
  • Make sure to clear the ground around each peony plant and dispose of the stems and leaves in the bin. It can be tempting to compost them but this may attract botrytis, especially if it is a wet winter.
  • If your peony is mature (5+years) it’s likely that the crown will push through the soil in winter and show some ‘eyes’. You won’t need to worry about protecting them as peonies love the cold of winter and will be just fine.

 

Tree peonies

  • While the leaves are also dead and require removing, there is no need to trim back the branches. They’ll be fine out there in the cold. If you’ve trimmed them already, that’s ok. As long as the roots are well established the branches will grow back.
  • Unlike Herbaceous peonies, Tree peonies like to be buried more deeply. So if it looks like it needs a bit of a boost, experiment with adding a few inches of soil around the base of the trunk.

 

Give a Peony

As mentioned, peonies aren’t flowering now. But they will be next year and the year after that and the year after that!

Peonies are the most wonderful, long lasting gift to give as they really do just keep on giving. They grow on for decades.

And although the receiver may find it a bit strange getting a pot of soil with some dormant roots in it, they will not be disappointed.

You can think of it like gifting a savings account to a relative for future gifts. Such as being able to go to university or buying a piece of property. They may not be able to enjoy it right now but when they do, it will be the best gift ever!

And that’s peonies – the best forever gift.

Peonies in Autumn

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Although we may feel like taking a bit of a break after a strange summer and all the Chelsea excitement, work does not stop when Autumn comes around.

Don't put those tools away just yet, there are plenty of things to be done in the garden! And not just playing the fool (although that is important too)!

Here are some suggestions of best garden practice in Autumn.

Planting

September and October are the ideal time for getting those new peonies in the ground. In short, you'll want to:

  • plant them in a sunny/partly shady and sheltered spot
  • make sure the soil is free draining
  • plant herbaceous peonies with the crown no more than 5cm below the ground. With container grown plants, simply plant them out at the same level as they were in the pot

 

(Detailed instructions on planting tree, herbaceous and intersectional peonies)

Moving and Dividing

If you have a well-established peony in your garden that’s happily expanding, late October/early November is the perfect time to move and/or divide it. Contrary to popular opinion, peonies don’t mind a change of scenery. In fact they quite like it, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines:

  • Cut back any dead foliage to about 2cm above the ground
  • Dig up as big a clump as possible, being careful not to damage any ‘eyes’ or buds that are developing at or just below surface level
  • Divide your peony with either a sharp spade or a pruning knife (depending on the size of the plant), ensuring that each piece of root that you divide has at least 3-5 ‘eyes’ or buds
  • Whether you are moving or dividing your peony it is best to plant it as soon as possible after lifting it to minimise disruption to the root system - ideally planting it the same day

 

Like us, peonies take some time to adjust to new things, so it may happen that your peony will not flower the following year. As long as you have taken the above care in replanting it, you don’t have to worry. This is normal and it is just taking some time to settle in to its new position. It will no doubt flower in years to come.

In the meantime

Before you start launching into getting your peonies ready for their next fabulous flowering season, there is something worth taking a few moments to savour – their foliage.

The colours on peonies Autumn leaves is a feast for the eyes. You can expect to see varying shades of reds, oranges, purples, greens and browns.

It’s really such a treat and a great opportunity to take some time out from the day - best enjoyed with a fellow nature enthusiast, relaxing on the garden bench over a cup of tea.

The range of autumn colours on Herbaceous peony leaves is very wide but Intersectional peonies foliage maintain their rich hues and last considerably longer than Herbaceous peonies in autumn. And while Herbaceous leaves tend to go brown and shrivel up before dropping off, Intersectionals leaves maintain their form and prettiness right until the very end. Look at them showing off their fancy foliage (pictured right)!

And that’s one of the many reasons we love peonies – their ability to remain elegant, no matter what!