o u t d o o r s
plantings
I would like to move
• my favorite peony to
my new home. Is that possible?
Established peonies can be moved
whenever necessary, although it may
take two or three years for them to
bloom again if the timing is not
optimal. Early fall—September in
most areas—is the best time to divide
established peonies or plant new
ones. It’s usually better to divide an
established peony before replanting
rather than transplant it entirely. Dig
up the entire root ball and carefully
wash away the soil so that you can
identify the red eyes, or buds. Use a
sharp knife to cut the crown into
sections,
below
, that include 3-5 eyes
attached to fat, healthy roots. Choose
a planting site in full sun with soil
that drains well. Prepare the planting
hole deeply with compost and a
small amount of fertilizer. Replant
the divisions so that the eyes are no
more than
2
inches below the soil
surface. Water the plant well after
planting, but avoid watering newly
planted peonies frequently—they do
not like soggysoil.
y
My fernleaf peony faded away—foliage and all—
• before summer was over. Should I move it to a
nt location? Is there something wrong with it?
Fernleaf peony
(P. tenuifolia)
is an herbaceous peony with finely
cut leaves and bright red flowers. The striking contrast between the
textures and colors of the leaves and flowers makes it an especially
prized head-turner. But beyond beauty, it probably seems even more
precious because of its ephemeral nature—it does naturally fade into
dormancy by midsummer. If yours is blooming well and the foliage
seems healthy, you’re doing everything right. Fernleaf peonies, such as
‘Plena’,
above
, are shorter than most other peonies, which makes them
perfect for the front of the border or in sunny rock gardens.
Gb
I 3 8 SEPTEMBER 2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
F o r b u x iiig in fo rm a tio n s e e /ia g e 2 7 0 .
P H O T O S : (D IV ID IN G P E O N Y R O O T ) M A R T Y B A L D W IN ; (F E R N L E A F P E O N Y ) C L IN T F A R L IN G E R
