Rock Garden Peonies

Peonies should be planted either in autumn or early spring for the best results. The key to planting them correctly is ensuring the crown (the “eyes”) is positioned no more than 3–5 cm below the soil surface. This is crucial because planting too deep is the most common reason why peonies fail to bloom.

When planting, make sure to space peonies 60–90 cm apart. This spacing allows for proper airflow around the plants, which helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases and ensures the peonies have enough room to grow to their full size. Additionally, choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil to help your peonies thrive.

With the right planting depth and spacing, your peonies will have a strong foundation for healthy growth and beautiful blooms.

Peonies are relatively easy to grow but require the right conditions to truly thrive. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, so make sure to plant them in a spot where they’ll receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Once established, peonies benefit from minimal disturbance, making them a great low-maintenance plant.

It’s important to be patient, as newly planted peonies may take 2-3 years to reach their full blooming potential. During this time, regular watering during dry periods and light feeding in early spring will encourage strong growth. Ensuring good air circulation around the plants will help prevent fungal issues and promote overall health. With the right care, peonies can thrive and bloom beautifully for decades.

Peonies typically bloom from late spring to early summer, with the peak bloom period usually occurring between May and June. Early-blooming varieties, such as anemone and herbaceous types, may start flowering as early as late April. Meanwhile, late-blooming varieties like tree and rock garden peonies can extend the bloom period well into July. The timing of the blooms depends on the variety and your local climate, ensuring a long-lasting display of beauty from spring through summer.

Peonies should be carefully cut back in the fall, ideally after the foliage has yellowed or been damaged by frost, which typically happens around October. This is an important step to help prevent disease and encourage strong growth in the coming spring. Cutting back the stems to ground level reduces the chance of fungal infections and clears the way for fresh growth. It's also a good idea to dispose of the plant debris rather than composting it, as this helps prevent any lingering pathogens from affecting the next season’s plants.

Once cut back, peonies are ready for a clean start come spring. Although peonies are hardy plants, this fall cleanup ensures that they’ll be free from diseases such as powdery mildew or botrytis, which can affect them if leftover foliage is left behind. Regular maintenance like this keeps your peonies strong, healthy, and ready to produce stunning blooms year after year.

We ship peony roots from 1 October to 1 June, when they are dormant and ready to plant; orders placed in summer ship from 1 October. After dispatch, delivery takes 2–5 working days to Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and 3–6 working days elsewhere in Europe. Every root is checked by hand and packed to arrive fresh, with planting instructions.