Take a water hose and clean off the roots of the plant (this will let you know how big of hole you will have to dig to replant). One of the most vital steps is getting the timing right. Each division needs to have three to five eyes or growing points. So you are best trying to save a peony plant after it has succombed to peony damage. Peonies are long-lived perennial flowering plants which decorate many landscapes. But after 10 or 15 years, peony blooms slow down, and that’s the time for you to dig, divide, and transplant them. This article is specifically about growing tree peonies. Test the soil's pH level. The Tree Peony (despite its name) is not actually a tree but a deciduous shrub originating from China where it is known as Moutan. Not only did he provide a mountain of information, he also sent five, count 'em five tree peonies for my own personal enjoyment. Tree peonies are heavy feeders and respond well to a generous, early autumn top dressing of bone meal or a rose fertiliser. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) are deciduous sub-shrubs that bloom in mid to late spring with big, beautiful peony flowers.The flowers are much like those of their cousins, the familiar herbaceous perennials, Paeonia lactiflora. Look for a ridged bulge on the root where one type of tree peony was grafted onto another to get the best qualities of each. If your soil pH is higher the recommended levels, lower it by introducing an elemental sulfur material using 6 to10 lbs. If the peony hasn’t died back for the winter, trim the peony stems close to ground level. Fertilize in the fall, in the spring when new growth starts, and after blooming. Try to retain as much of the root system as possible. This can be any time from October to February. In this video guide, Monty Don show’s how to plant a herbaceous peony, ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ and taller tree peonies. This will make it easier to locate exactly how far the root system extends. Get involved. Firstly dig the plant out of the ground. The main difference between Tree Peonies and their herbaceous cousins is that Tree peonies don’t die back in winter. Gently shake the peony plant so soil falls away from roots. Depending on its age, you might need a fork or a … After the initial planting, do not fertilize again until after the leaves turn green. It should also receive at least four to five hours of sunlight daily, adequate drainage and good soil. A woody or deciduous shrub, tree peonies come in a variety of colors and do well in USDA zones 4 to 9. Do so only if necessary and in an area where your peony will not have to compete with other trees for air, sunlight and water. Herbaceous peonies, also known as Chinese peonies (Paeonia lactiflora), are the most commonly grown. How to Divide and Transplant Peonies: 11 Steps (with Pictures) Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Plant your tree peony where it has a break from high winds, such as near a fence or wall, if you live in an area prone to this. After your tree is successfully planted, add a slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer following the manufacturer’s instructions. It includes most of the hybridized plants that have been created recently, and are usually pink, purple, red or white in color. First, dig up the plant. These will actually be the part that comes through the ground after planting and forms a new peony plant when you divide peonies.After rinsing, you should leave the roots in the shade so they soften up a bit. Do this in the fall for best results! Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. September is the best time to transplant established peonies. As peony flowers are so heavy, you will need to use a plant support. As you remove soil from peony roots, use a sharp knife to cut out any soft or bad spots on the roots. The culprit is often lack of sunlight due to overcrowding and the expanding canopies of nearby trees. Ideally, the soil should have a pH level of 6.5 to 7.0. Add soil and water to fill in the hole around the tree's root system. It is best to move a tree peony only in the fall and you can expect the tree to take two to three years to stabilize to its normal, healthy state. Poorly drained soils can often be improved by working in large amounts of compost or peat. When selecting a planting site, choose an area that receives full sun. As a rule-of-thumb, plants that have been growing in position for more than five years are much less likely to survive transplanting than younger specimens. Or you can even share the wealth; peonies make perfect pass-along plants to give to family and friends. So we were already digging deeper than the tree peony roots, and could do a good job of unearthing the root system. Young plants transplant fairly well, but more established specimens will suffer greater stress and require advanced preparation. However, the same features that make peonies a sturdy and long-lived plant can also make them a challenge to transplant.Sometimes a move becomes a necessary alternative to plant loss. Peony lutea by Pancrat (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons. The roots will be deep and tough. Promptly replant the peonies in a sunny, well-drained site. Discover tree peonies. Lever the peony out of the ground, disturbing the root mass as little as possible. Tree Peony "Guardian of the Monastery" the day before digging. Peonies perform best in full sun and well-drained soils. When to transplant peonies depends on the results you want. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Ward is pursuing a Master of Arts in history and culture from Union Institute and University. The permanence of peonies is one of the qualities that make them such an enduring perennial in the garden. Division of large peony clumps requires a few additional steps. Eyes are the places on the roots that produce stems and leaves. Over time, as surrounding shrubs and trees grow larger, peonies may fail to bloom as they once did. If any of the plant falls off and it has roots on it, plant it too. This can be a slow process because peony roots are tough. Distinct from the more common herbaceous peony that dies back in winter, the Tree Peony is a larger version that retains its elegant woody stem or bark throughout the winter. After the initial planting, do not fertilize again until after the leaves turn green. The term Tree Peony is a little confusing as it seems to describe a plant that grows to the height of a tree, which it does not. The third image is a transplant peony that was probably 30 years old growing in the deep shade in my yard, to a raised bed. As a gardener, you may be wondering “Can I transplant peonies?” The answer is yes. If your soil is has a pH of less than 6.5, add lime and compost until you get the right pH. Then carefully dig around and under each plant. per 1,000 square feet. All Rights Reserved. Dig around the tree with a large garden fork at least 18 inches away from the tree trunk. Tree peonies do not like to be moved. Moving established peonies is one solution. Start digging a good 18 inches away from the crown of the plant. If your soil pH is higher the recommended levels, lower it by introducing an elemental sulfur material using 6 to10 lbs. However, with careful attention to detail, you can successfully transplant them. Cut down the stems. In many North American locations, September or October will be the ideal month for transplanting a peony. ... Tree Peony "Guardian of the Monastery" the day before digging. She also has a strong background in business, education and farm living. Moving established peony plants should be done in the fall, at least six weeks before the ground freezes. Peonies transplant better when you divide them. Fertilize twice a year, in the spring and late summer. A tree peony has a woody stem that is attached to the root clump/tuber, and tree peonies develop into taller shrubs. Begin by cutting the peony stems near ground level. Transplant it in the new location, which should be in sun with well-draining, rich soil. Replanting a taprooted tree peony can be a very difficult process. Select an area away from tree roots and shrubs, as competition for moisture and nutrients causes a reduction in flower size. Don’t worry if the flowers seem a bit sparse the first spring after moving established peonies. The peony has been a popular perennial in American gardens since the 1800's. These are usually planted as bare-root saplings. To lift your established tree peony, begin at least eighteen inches from the base of the stem, loosen the plant from the soil with a large garden fork, work your way around the plant, and gently pry it from the ground. If you need to relocate either herbaceous or tree peonies, fall is the best time. Bury the tree until the soil reaches just below the crown of the tree. Typically, tree peonies can live for more than 100 years and do not like to be transplanted. Gardeners value the peony for its large, colorful flowers in spring and attractive, season-long foliage. Knowing how and when to transplant peony is the key. But unlike a tree there really is no root flare; all the planting advice seems to imply that it is better to plant deeper than too shallow for a tree peony; And I was even led to believe that planting deeper will stimulate below-ground buds to develop into additional roots for a tree peony. Peony suffruticosa is the most common of the tree peony varieties. Discover tree peonies. Adding the water will get rid of air pockets that will damage the roots if left behind. Itoh or Intersectional peonies are a cross between a herbaceous peony and a tree peony. It may be easier to dig a trench around the plant before attempting removal in order to avoid breaking the central root. A light sprinkling of a general fertiliser can be applied in spring. They grow from rhizomes, which form a bush about 1m high and flower from late spring into summer, before dying down in autumn. Carefully lift the peony tree out of the earth with a shovel and wrap the root system with a tarp or place the tree in a large bucket while you are moving it to its new location. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) are considered the national flower of China and can reach heights of nearly 6 feet. He explains how planting depth is crucial with peonies – and how to get it right. In many North American locations, September or October will be the ideal month for transplanting a peony. Depending on the size of your tree, 2 inches above the root system is a good rule of thumb. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Cricket Hill Garden: Planting Instructions, Utah State University Extension: Solutions to Soil Problems. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the entire root system in width and depth. Add terms like tree peony, itoh peony and herbaceous peony, and it can seem overwhelming. Too bad the article never reached peer review and publishing … Choose a location where your tree has at least 3 to 5 feet of room to grow into. Moving and dividing peonies should be done in autumn once the leaves have died back. These peonies have the leaf form of tree peonies on a rounded plant that dies back to the ground in winter. Yvonne Ward began her professional writing career in 2004. After the leaves have dropped … This gives the plant time to recover before going dormant for the winter. When to move and divide a peony. It will do great. The high potash content encourages flowers to develop. Dig around the tree with a large garden fork at least 18 inches away from the tree trunk. Peony lutea. However, with careful attention to detail, you can successfully transplant them. Herbaceous vs tree peony. The time to transplant tree peonies is in the fall, when the plants have become dormant. Divide the peony roots into sections or divisions. It is best to move a tree peony only in the fall and you can expect the tree to take two to … Feeding a Tree Peony. Typically, tree peonies can live for more than 100 years and do not like to be transplanted. When transplanting a peony, it can take three to four years for it to become reestablished and bloom abundantly. Carefully dig around and then under the roots, taking care not to damage the fleshy tubers. Sign up for our newsletter. The last time I moved a tree peony, it was because the plumber needed access to the sewer line. Usually I just pry things out of the ground, but it does help to be careful with these. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Whatever the reason, it is feasible to transplant peonies—either within your own garden or to a friend’s. Repeat until you achieve a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. You can replant a part of your original peony and its divisions in the same part of the garden or find new areas for them. The only way to multiply peony plants is to divide peonies.This might sound complicated, but it's not. She wrote a true-crime book published in 2010 and has two more underway. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) are considered the national flower of China and can reach heights of nearly 6 feet. Everything you need to know about choosing the right tree peony for you. Occasionally, maturing trees may reach the pointthey’re shading peony plants and preventing bloom. With so many varieties of peonies available these days, selecting the right peony for your garden can be confusing. Avoid shady areas near large trees and shrubs. Successfully moving established peonies is achievable. The peony is hardy, dependable, long-lived, and easy to grow. Plant your tree peony where it has a break from high winds, such as near a fence or wall, if you live in an area prone to this. The crown of a tree is where the trunk and main branches begin. How to divide a peony. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. You can grow Tree Peonies in the ground, or in a container, they are remarkably drought tolerant and with a little soil preparation are very easy care. As long as they get good water from winter through spring they will thrive. Fertilize twice a year, in the spring and late summer. These peonies have the leaf form of tree peonies on a … Choose the correct time of the year. If your soil is has a pH of less than 6.5, add lime and compost until you get the right pH. Tree peony stem showing new growth after pruning How to grow Tree Peonies. Peony lutea is the only true yellow tree peony. 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Young plants transplant fairly well, but more established specimens will suffer stress... Sunny, well-drained site these days, selecting the right pH or October will be the month. Peonies is one of the ground, disturbing the root mass as little as possible gardener, you be... Terms like tree peony, it was because the plumber needed access to the root system more underway month! Paeonia lactiflora ), are the places on the roots that produce and.