Herbaceous Peony Coral Sunset
The allure of the Coral Peonies can not be ignored. Striking coral blooms on long, strong stems. They are earlier blooming than many of the other Peony family, and make a stunning clump quite quickly. Limited supply of very large pieces on offer.
Dispatch for Peonies will begin in mid to late June. Orders are processed on a first in, first dispatched basis and there will be a delay as we catch up on orders. Please be patient.
Herbaceous Peonies, or Peony Rose as they are commonly called are a cool climate perennial. There natural habitat includes limestone mountains around Asia including China, Japan, Tibet and Siberia with limited species found in North America. They are a hardy plant once established, but do take some time to settle down after being shifted. Growing on a woody root system under-ground, peonies are best given ample space, and as such not overly suited to being in pots long term.
When selecting a position, think frost. They love the cold frosty mornings. A full sun to partly shaded position with free draining soil is necessary. Prepare your bed to a depth of 30cm, with the soil being nice and friable. Peonies have a PH requirement of 7.5-8 (alkaline), and most gardens will need a few kg (not kidding) of lime added to their growing area. Some well composted and broken down manure can also be added to the hole. Plant the root with the 'pink tips' (these are the growth shoots) upright, which generally means lying the root on its side. The growth shoots should be no more than 2cm under the ground. Water in after planting to eliminate any air bubbles in the soil.
Peonies take a good few years to settle after being shifted, if you happen to have a flower bud appear it is best to remove it in the first couple of years. This allows the root to establish itself adequately without the flower draining all its energy.
Remember - they are slow. The old saying goes 'The first year they sleep, The second year they creep and the Third year they leap.