Show Date: 26 Aug 10
I always thought Peonies was pronounced Pee OH nees until I had to do a presentation in front of a group of Master Gardeners.

Peony 'Candy Stripe'

I was wrong!  It’s Pee AH nees!  Just in case anyone asks you, you can sound like a Master Gardener.  Really, any way you pronounce it, they’re beautiful plants.

They grow in most types of soils but don’t like shade.  For a great start to these beauties, dig a hole about a foot and a half wide and two feet deep.  Replace some of the soil with peat moss, leaf mold or compost.  Plant so the peony eyes are face up about 2 inches  below the soil surface. 

For the first year, mulch your plants AFTER the ground has frozen then pull the mulch up as Spring arrives.

Show Date: 1 Oct 09

Peony 'Candy Stripe'

Have your peonies started producing less flower power?  Now’s the time to dig and divide.

Use a garden fork to dig out the entire clump, make sure each division has at least 3 eyes (these are the places leaves emerge) and some roots attached.  Plant 3 to 4 feet apart in a sunny location with well draining soil.  Plant the rhizomes no deeper than 2 inches below the soil surface or you won’t see blooms.

Show Date: 27 Aug 09

'Candy Stripe' peony

However you decide to pronounce peonies, they’re still very pretty! Now through mid-September is a good time to plant them.

They need full sun in well draining soil. Plant your peony eyes-up about 2 inches under the soil and about 3 to 4 feet apart.

After the ground has frozen, mulch your newly planted peonies the first winter only, then pick up the mulch in early spring.