moving peony's ?'s

[chessie]

I have just rekindled my gardening desires that have been lying dormant for quite some time. I find I must move some peony's that have been growing in the same spot for many, many years to make way for a formal butterfly garden. Here is what I thought I would do. Please tell me if this will be OK or should I do something a bit different. Now that they are just about finished for the season I thought I would cut them to about 6 inches and dig them out. I will store them in peat moss till I figure out where I will put them. I have nowhere in mind to put them so I want to just keep them there till I figure it out. Do I have to get them back in the ground by fall or can I leave them in the peat till next year?

Chessie

 

[amid chaos]

I don;t know the first thing about peonies...I have some that are doing nothing. how do you get them to bloom?

 

[chessie]

I am ashamed to say these poor peonies have been sadly neglected for probably more then 10 years. In spite of it all they have thrived and have bloomed abundantly each and every year. That is why I am hoping to save them rather then discard them,

 

[gina2000]

Peonies are usually dug in the fall. I don't know how well they'd survive if you dug them up now and stored them in peat moss.

A better bet may be to put them in a pot with top soil and peat and let them grow throughout the summer and then transplant in the fall. Truthfully, though, this is just a guess.

 

[marydmjj]

Amid: I just learned this: peonies don't like to be planted deep so keep the crowns shallow. If they are to deep, either planted that way or from years of mulch, they will grow but not produce flowers. My peonies are blooming for the very first time since I first planted them 5+ years ago.

 

[DebºoºS]

Storing them in peat or pots might not work for an extended time. It'll prob work for a month in the shade well watered in their original soil. They should be in the ground after that.

The last time I moved my peonies from LI it was July or August. I was busy setting up house. They were left sitting in a pot with soil next to my garage for a long time. There wasn't a garden to put them in so I dug a shallow hole right there next to the garage in the hard as a rock clay threw in some peat and there they still sit today.

They like to be crowded with roots bulbs lightly covered not buried. No mulch.They skip a bloom whenever I've moved them.

The peonies I have came from an 18th century sea captains house my sister had on LI. I took some (around 1976) when she divided the original bed which was huge. We've been moving them from house to house since.

 

[chessie]

Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. Digging a bit of a troughs to baby sit them was my 2nd thought. Deb, I love plants with a history. How do you get yours to stand upright? Mine droop so badly that when they get fully open they are practically hanging upside down.

 

[marlasmom]

I would not move them until the fall. You know when you dig them up you can divide the root. Just make sure there are at least 5 "eyes" on each part you plant - although I would prefer more. You can buy "peoney hoops" that you put around the plant before it starts to grow and the stems will grow through and around it and remain upright. When I buy peonies (or when I used to before we moved here) I look for strong stems and good fragrance. I really envy your peonies - my favorite flower.

 

[Tulirose]

I definitely agree with Marlasmom. Don't move them until the Fall. I wouldn't want to risk losing them. They are so beautiful - Did you see the photos of Deb's peonies? Absolutely stunning.

Deb, I forgot about the story of the sea captain's peonies. And I love that you just threw them into a temporary holding area where they are still thriving so wonderfully today. Was the sea captain's house in Northport too? (I think that is where you said you used to live). That is a great history for your plants.

P.S. - My peonies are just beginning to bloom!

 

[DebºoºS]

Marlasmom, I didn't know about the 5 eyes, thanks. When I divide I do that.

Chessie, mine droop also but the stems are sturdy and strong which helps support the flower. I might use the bsket idea Marlasmom suggested next year to help them along.

Tulirose, the sea captain's house was in East Moriches. Neat place with the widows walk and slave quarters and huge flower beds with everything growing together for a mass of color.
I did grow up in Northport but my sister moved to EM and restored this old house.
I wish I had pics of the gardens they were beautiful. Can't wait to see pics of your peonies.

 

[orvilleair]

I have heard that peonies are very fussy when it comes to the depth of the crowns and transplanting. A local radio show advises people not to transplant them. Mine do nice on their own, and I've had good luck with them.

I do have a problem with the flowers drooping, so I have been putting in stakes and running twine around the circumference of the plant. I think there are some varieties that are stronger than mine "Sarah Bernhardt (sp)" as well as varieties that have a single bloom instead of "pom pom"

Anyway good luck.

 

[marlasmom]

The top of the peoney root should be no lower than 1 inch below the surface. This is hard for newbies to do.

My "rule" with new or transplanted peonies was first year, one flower, 2nd year two flowers, 3rd year 3; flowers and then stand back for bloom. It is ok to transplant them and if you have had one for a couple of years with no bloom, dig it up and re-set it, making sure it is not too deep. I have read it is best; not to put new peonies in a spot where there was a peoney earlier.

 

[Snowwark]

As much as I admire them, I don't have any peonies. I really just wanted to say....

Welcome to Chessie and Orvilleair!

We're always glad to have new Buds join us!!

 

[chessie]

You've all persuaded me to wait till fall to move my peonies. My plan is for a 12' X 24' island garden designed especially to attract butterflies. The peonies are in a round island about 8.' I was going to start building the garden from the old peony bed out but I have decide to start from the other end and build it backwards. That way the last thing to be done will be to move the peonies. Hopefully by fall I will have decided where their final resting place will be. ( sounds like I am planning on killing them; lol ). Thanks you all for your thoughts, ideas and planting instructions.

Chessie

 

[Snowwark]

"Hopefully by fall I will have decided where their final resting place will be. ( sounds like I am planning on killing them; lol )." Only a little...lol..

That's a good size island garden, Chessie! What else are you planning to plant their?

 

[chessie]

My son passed away last year and I decided in my heart that I wanted to plant a memorial garden for him. I have been planning it all winter. Once I decide on the theme for the garden I did a bit of research on what plants and flowers attract butterflies and their needs. So far I have collected the most obvious butterfly bush, also black eyed Susan's, coreopisis, echinacea and yarrow. I have quite a list and I'll probably be collecting plants and flowers for it for some time.

 

[Snowwark]

Chessie, I'm very sorry to hear about your son's passing. My sympathies to you and your family.

I think your memorial garden is a lovely way to honour his memory. Please keep us posted on how it's coming along, okay?


Kim

 

[DebºoºS]

Chessie, I am so so very sorry to hear of your son's passing. I can't imagine the grief you are feeling. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Your memorial butterfly garden sounds beautiful. The butterflies will love your peonies and of course your butterfly bush.

If there is anything I can do to help please PM me. A plant that's hard to find, whatever.

 

[Tulirose]

Chessie - Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your son. A memorial garden is a beautiful idea.

You might have these plants on your list already but I recently took out a perennial plant book from the library and it has a chapter for attracting birds and butterflies. They list the following plants:

• Asclepias (Milkweed)
• Centaurea (Centaurea)
• Echinacea (Purple Cornflower)
• Erigeron (Fleabane)
• Gaillardia (Blanket flower)
• Heuchera (Heuchera)
• Kniphofia (Torch lily)
• Lobelia (Lobelia
• Monarda (Bee balm)

Good luck with your project and my best wishes and prayers go out to you and your family.


** Edited to add I just found the author listed 13 more bird/butterfly plants other than the above in a supplemental listing.

• Coreopsis (Tickseed)
• Fragaria (Strawberry)
• Helianthus (Sunflower)
• Hibiscus (Hibiscus)
• Penstemon (Penstemon)
• Phlox (Phlox)
• Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia)
• Salvia (Salvia)
• Scabiosa (Pincushion flower)
• Solidago (Goldenrod)
• Verbena (Verbena)
• Goldenrod (Goldenrod)

If we can help in any other way, please let us know.

 

[chessie]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

Yesterday I found a nursery near my house. I seldom go that way. I started talking to the owner and found out that he plants to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to his home gardens. I bought 3 plants. Purple cone flower, bee balm and gayfeather. He also recommended to put a shepherds crook with a hanging basket of lantana. I thought that the prices were just a bit higher there but I think that the personal attention and information will be worth it. I will surely be heading back there.