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THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION
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November
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Michael Haskell
Plant Solutions
There are two types of Peonies:
the Tree Peony and Herbaceous.
Peonies are a member of the But-
tercup Family (Ranunculacea), relat-
ed to the Clematis, the Columbine
and the Trollius. They are hardy in
cold climates and not likely to fare
well in a warm climate such as
Southern California or Florida.
The Herbaceous Peony is very
easy to grow and is best planted in
the fall from September 15 until the
first freeze. Root divisions fare bet-
ter than planted peony seeds. Gen-
erally available at nurseries, a three
to five eye root division is the per-
fect choice for general planting.
When planting in the southern cli-
mates, the root divisions need to be
in a partial shade area. In northern
areas, the peonies require full sun.
Planting will need to be in an area
with well-drained soil. The soil does
not need to be light in texture. The
depth of the ground for planting
should be about one and one-half
feet. The soil should be tested to
assure that it is neutral. A soil with
slightly acid medium would suffice.
The roots should be planted shal-
low, keeping the eyes no more than
one and one half inches below the
soil surface. Allow two to three feet
distance between the plants for
expansion.
The period between the sowing
of the seeds and resultant plants
that are mature and blooming can
be long. The seed may not repro-
duce itself and may not be identical
to the parent plant. If you do decide
to sow seeds, they should be sown
in boxes, frames, or even in the
open ground, with a thin layer of
dead leaves in a shady area. The
germination process is slow.
With proper care, the peonies
may be left undisturbed for up to
twelve years. During the summer,
weeds should be kept to a mini-
mum. During the growing season,
applications of a complete fertilizer
should be added. At the beginning
of the summer, a top dressing of
organic matter is beneficial. To pre-
vent seed formation, it is necessary
to cut off the side buds when they
first appear. This process will allow
the terminal bud to have strength
for producing a large flower. Stak-
ing is necessary for the varieties
with heavy double flowers. Faded
flowers should be cut to prevent
seed formation.
The herbaceous perennial
should be divided every few years.
Propagation can be more effective
from older plants by means of suck-
ers or side growths that appear all
around the parent plant. In autumn,
propagation by division is the best
standard method of multiplication.
This method of division is probably
the most reliable. One easy method
of division is to cut thru the crown
of the plant. Each piece of the root
division will produce a bud that will
grow a new plant of the same vari-
ety. Each of the divided sections
should have at least two eyes,
although three would be more
preferable. The divisions can be
planted in a permanent position or
grown in pots for a year or so.
Peonies are not immune to dis-
ease. Botrytis sometimes causes a
sudden wilting of stems and
foliage. Afflicted parts should be
cut and burned. Nematodes may be
serious. The symptoms of Nema-
todes are a lack of bloom and a
dwarfing of the plant. When divid-
ing the root be very careful to
examine to see if these tiny micro-
scopic nematodes are present. Con-
sult with Plant Solutions for han-
dling disease control.
The Tree Peonies usually grows
from three to four feet. The trees
are not as easy to grow as the
Herbaceous Peony. The experienced
gardener knows that it is not always
easy to produce magnificent plants.
The culture of Tree Peonies is full of
uncertainties, difficulties and even
disappointments. Success is very
gratifying when beautiful shrubs
are blooming and thriving. Tree
Peonies do best in slightly alkaline
soil. Planting Tree Peonies is the
same as specified for Herbaceous
Peonies. The union between the
scion and the under stock should be
set about an inch below the surface
of the soil. Propagation is by graft-
ing and is a matter for the experi-
enced specialist. It is too slow and
too complicated a process for the
amateur to attempt. Propagation
from seed is also neither quick nor
easy. Tree Peonies remain expensive
due to the difficulties of propaga-
tion. When the Tree Peonies have
completed the blooming process,
they will enter a period of lethargy
and the stems will remain bare. The
care of the Tree Peonies is as for the
Herbaceous Peonies.
CARING FOR PEONIES FROM PLANTING TO PROPAGATING
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