Peony flower bulbs - choosing, buying in wholesale and planting

Types of Peonies

Tree Peony

These semi woody spp. originated in China. They are popular in Japan. These are really shrubs of 6-8 feet. Their stem remains alive in winter except in extreme climate. They bloom mostly early. During their flowering time they show heavy plate size (up to 20 cm) blooms on long slender stems at the top of leafy branches. Flowers may be single or double and their colours may be white, pink, rose, yellow often with maroon basal markings. Leaves are large, smooth & the terminal leaflets are deeply lobed. Although they are not used as cut flowers, they are used as plants of the gardens in sheltered areas and in front of the shrubberies or with roses.

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Climate and soil required for Peonies

Peonies need cold winters for proper growth and development. They require at least 6 o c for flower bud development. They perform well in temperate and cool subtropical climate but are not suitable for warm tropical climate. Full sun is a prerequisite for good growth & high quality flowers. Peonies can be grown in any well –drained soil. The perennial plants should be grown in deep, loamy soil with high organic matter. Providing best soil will ensure better quality flowering for up to 20 or more years. They perform best at pH 6.5-7.0.

Peonies choosing and buying: These are propagated by division of roots or tubers.

a) Roots should be of best commercial variety
b) Select roots of healthy plants with optimum floral yield.
c) Always better to purchase bare roots rather than potted plants.
d) Clumps from 5-6 years old plants are the best. Clumps from 1-2 years old plant will produce more foliage and less flowering shoots.
e) Each tuber should have 2-5 buds (eyes) and 1-2 large roots
f) Check for any damaged or soft spot and external bruises.

Planting Peonies

Peonies are grown from tuberous roots. Soil should be prepared well before planting because once planted peonies are going to survive for decades. The peonies should be protected from strong winds. Planting hole is dug around 18 inches deep and 18 in. wide. A well rotted manure is added about 3 in. in the bottom of the hole, pressed firm and covered with soil so that so that the manure is not in direct contact with the roots. Tubers are planted with their eyes facing upwards and roots spread outward. Mound the soil around the roots and water thoroughly. It is crucial to know that the “eyes” should not be deeper than 2 in. below the surface or flowering can be inhibited. Flowering is reduced if underground storage roots & buds are planted too deep.

Spacing in the field is very important for proper light and air movement. Usually a spacing of 40 cm. is kept between the plants where as the rows of plants are 90 cm. apart. In other words 1square meter is needed for development of each plant. They should be planted away from large trees or bushes otherwise competition for food and root space may inhibit proper growth of peonies.

Season and cycle of Peonies

Peonies display their beautiful blooms in April-May. They go dormant in late August. The tubers can be dug, divided and replanted in September-October (autumn). This gives them ample time for some root development before winter though the foliage remain dormant until next spring Tubers can be dug in autumn and planted in spring. However planting in spring will not exhibit satisfactory flowering for the first two years.

Growing period of Peonies

Peonies are best planted in early fall i.e. September and mid October. With proper care peonies can bloom for 6-8 weeks in late spring to early summer. Each flower lasts about 7-9 days. Hence by planting the right mix of early, mid or late blooming cultivars, the blooming season can be extended for 6-7 weeks. Quantity and quality of blooms is also affected by sufficient moisture & climatic conditions. Removing old flowers gives a pleasant view to the new flush of flowers and promotes flowering. Herbaceous peonies die down in autumn but their foliage turns attractive reddish brown.