The Peonies most commonly listed are natives of China and are called Chinese Peonies. They are very long lived. A certain plant at McGregor, Iowa, planted in 1858 is still going strong. Being long lived they deserve a good planting.

Very soon after Labor Day I begin to clean house in my flower garden - I lift and take out strong healthy parts of perennials that have stood in the same location 3 years and transplant, discarding the woody parts. If I had Peonies that were poorly located, I would deal with them, too; for they will repay one for all favors shown. Do not let grass and weeds smother them nor permit tree or shrub roots to sap their soil, They enjoy a place in full sun and should not be planted where ice can form over their crowns in winter.

A hedge planting looks better than to see them scattered hit or miss over the premises. Those are my opionions as far as backyard landscaping ideas go. Three feet apart would do in a very restricted area but four feet is better. Dig a hole large enough to settle 15-20 pot in: Mix fertilizer (cow manure is good) and good garden soil: Use this to fill in about half the cavity. Next put on an inch or two or soil free of fertilizer. If the clumps are large, divide them first. Wash the soil from the roots, then with fingers and a sharp knife, cut the clump into several pieces, See that each piece has 5 or 6 buds (eyes). Set the clump in the hole so that the top of the little pink buds (they are the stalks and blossoms to be) will not be more than 2 or 2-1/2 inches below the surface when the soil is settled. Too deep planting is one cause of failure to bloom. Use soil free of fertilizer to cover the plants. Water well so that no air pockets remain around the roots. For the first winter in their new bone, it is wise to mound soil 2 or 3 inches deep over each plant. Place some coarse mulch over all.

Remove, the extra mound of soil in the spring and very soon big, fat buds will be pushing up through the good earth. Soil around the plants should not be allowed to bake. Cultivate several times during the summer. Some varieties throw up many stalks while other varieties are sparse bloomers. I tone down the lusty rampant growers by pinching off a few stems while they are very young - quality is more desirable than quantity. Most varieties have flowers in clusters at the end of the stalk and on laterals. It is easy to disbud if one prefers large blossoms. Disbudding should be done as soon as the tiny buds begin to show in order that root strength will not be wasted. If you prefer a big display of bloom then let nature take its own way and other things being equal, you will be rewarded with great drifts of bloom. Some varieties produce such large heavy blossoms that their stems can hardly hold them uptight - help them by way of a strong stake and soft string. Do not expect choice blossoms the first season after being planted.

Fertilizers should be applied but once a year after they are growing well, Peonies are gross feeders, have water and hose and in drought times give each newly set plant at least 2 or 3 gallons of water once a week, and give the old, established plants a goad soaking almost as often.

Never cut the foliage off after the blooms are gone. Remember that Nature needs those leaves in storing up food in the Peony root this year for next year’s lovely flowers. When the blossoms are withered they should be snipped off to prevent seeds from forming. When fall comes and the leaves commence to look yellow the Peony stalks should be cut off quite close to the ground. I have used them for mulching my perennials when they had no black spots on the leaves but destroy them if there is a hint of disease. Trouble will be avoided if this is done although they are exceptionally free of disease. Ants on the buds are no cause for alarm.

As you work with Peonies you will see a difference in the varieties and I am quite sure you will be discarding those that you once thought were quite good. Japanese and singles are beautiful. Sometimes I cut 3 or 4 white singles with only an inch of stem and float them on a large green glass dish of water - they are almost as lovely as Water Lilies.

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