Peonies are easy to grow and can live for decades, often 50 years+ in a garden. Peonies are very low maintenance and if you stick to some simple rules for growing them we are sure you will be able to grow your own healthy peonies with no trouble at all.
There are 3 simple rules to planting herbaceous peonies:
• Plant in full sun or part shade in a sheltered position
• Any fertile soil will do, as long as it is free draining
• Plant herbaceous peonies with the crown (top of the root) no more than 5cm below the ground. With container grown plants, simply plant them at the same level they are in the pot they arrive in.
Most peonies will benefit from a general, balanced feed once a year in either the Spring or the Autumn.
You can feed a new peony when you are planting, mix the feed through your compost and add to the bottom of the hole to encourage root growth. When feeding your peony after it has been planted, you would loosen the soil around the peony and sprinkle the feed, mix lightly into the loose soil with your hands and then water the area so the feed can be absorbed into the soil to be most effective.
Once your peony is well-established in your garden you may wish to divide it. Some peonies can grow to about 90cm in diameter. It is a popular myth that peonies cannot be moved; if done properly then your peony will respond well to being divided and/or moved.
Once your peony has flowered you may wish to dead-head the blooms. Dead-heading your peony is not essential but it will keep the plant looking tidy and encourage further root growth.
Visit the FAQ page where we answer all of the most common questions and queries received from our customers. If you can’t find an answer, contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Alec White and his dedicated team of nurserymen and women have spent years cultivating a diverse collections of peonies for sale in the UK. At Primrose Hall Peonies, our aim is to share our passion for these extraordinary plants with fellow peony enthusiasts and those just beginning their journey into peony gardening.
We are proud to offer a wide selection of peonies—from rare and unusual varieties you may not have encountered before to the timeless classics that have long been cherished in British gardens. There is a peony variety to inspire every gardener.
If you don’t see a particular variety listed on our website, we encourage you to get in touch. It’s possible we already have it growing and can add you to our waiting list. We also have the ability to source peonies internationally, so if you’re expanding your collection and searching for a specific variety, our team will do their best to help.
Country Life Magazine article on Tree or Woody Peonies
