Client's Request: A visiting friend of mine has given me as a present a large 5 gallon Peony (Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima'). These friends grow these back East, but I'm not familiar with Peonies or growing them here in Contra Costa County. Would you please provide me with some guidance on planting and caring for this Peony in my garden?
CCMG Response: Thank you for contacting Master Gardeners with your question regarding planting your new peony. How lucky you are to receive a five gallon Peony from a friend! Often a showy spring flower in colder Eastern gardens, they can also be grown in temperate Contra Costa County when situated properly in the garden.
A permanent, morning sun only or partly shady site is ideal for your peony. Protection from afternoon sun and from harsh winds will help to prolong its life. Peonies will perform best in well-drained, evenly moist, rich soil with a pH near neutral. They are drought-tolerant once established. Hardiness Zone: up to 8 means that the cooler spring/summer exposure the better and that cold exposure in winter isn't a problem. This most likely will lead to planting it with a north-easterly exposure in the garden trying to be “cool” in the summer at the same time trying to get adequate morning sun.
- Good drainage! Reasonably good soil!
- Usually needs a sunny location for blooms - will do well in light shade but best blooms usually on those in full sun. In central and east county you will want a spot with morning sun and partial or afternoon shade (ideally 4-6 hours of morning sun).
- Keep away from large trees or heavy shrubs to avoid root competition.
Soil Preparation - important factor in growing peonies! Prepare well before planting!
- Planting hole – Dig twice as wide as actual root size. Dig or till in a 2 - to 4 - inch layer of organic matter into heavy clay soil. Mix double handful of bone meal with soil for each plant. Sunset Western Garden Book also recommends letting the soil settle for a couple of days before planting.
- Planting - Ideal time is early fall. Once planted, peonies can be left to grow undisturbed indefinitely. They may take 3 - 4 years to reach mature size; may not bloom first year and only a little the second
Watering – All peonies need regular water and should not be allowed to dry out. Apply 2 – 3 inches of organic mulch to retain moisture.
Here is a link to additional information about pests of peony in the landscape:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FLOWERS/peony.html
Please let us know if you have any additional questions regarding growing peonies in your area!
Contra Costa Master Gardener Help Desk
Note: The Contra Costa Master Gardener Help Desk is available year-round to answer your gardening questions. Except for a few holidays, we're open every week, Monday through Thursday for walk-ins from 9:00 am to Noon at 75 Santa Barbara Road, 2d Floor, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. We can also be reached via telephone: (925) 646-6586, email: ccmg@ucanr.edu, or on the web at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/
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