Happy New Year! I hope that you had a lovely holiday time and are now eager to get gardening in this new gardening year. But it is cold outside and there is not much we can do at the moment. I am busy fretting about keeping the greenhouse above freezing – and watching the ‘smart meter’ with dismay – but at least cold, bright days give the solar panels some purpose and help a bit!
This time of year is preparation time, whether it is organising and buying seeds or making plans for the summer garden. So, with my sights set firmly on early summer, I will put peonies in the spotlight this week.
Peonies are classic, old-fashioned herbaceous border plants. They bloom along with lupins, alliums and delphiniums as part of the traditional herbaceous border. Their large, often fragrant, flowers are the stars of the late May and June garden. Do you have peonies in our borders? If not I want to convince you that they are well worth planting and I want to dispel a few myths.
But first, and this relates to herbaceous peonies, the kind that die down to the ground each winter, I need to be honest.
The flowers, though gorgeous, only last about a week, though most have several buds per stem so they are actually in bloom for several weeks. Double kinds usually need to be supported or their heavy flowers flop over and the wonderful single-flowered kinds have even more fleeting flowers.
They also often take a year or two to settle in and bloom. This is especially true if you buy dried roots in ‘pre-packs’ hung up with bulbs. If you do buy these, rather than potted plants, look carefully to see if there are shoots to check they are alive. And buy and plant them immediately – they are hardy and cold will not harm them. Drying out will.
Now, on to some nonsense. Despite what you may have been told, you CAN move peonies. Dig them up now, while they are dormant. If necessary you can cut them into sections. And replant immediately. What is key is that you replant them at the correct depth, with the crown, where the shoots grow from the roots, 2cm (1in) below the soil surface and no more.
Deep planting is one of the main reasons why peonies stop blooming. They will still grow and produce leaves but will not bloom. Too much shade will also prevent flowering.
Now onto all the good things peonies can do. Their foliage is attractive and we know their flowers are gorgeous. They will grow in most soils, including clay and they live for decades without being moved or replanted. Whatever your preference, there are peonies you will adore. ‘Bowl of Beauty’ was what I called the ‘Chelsea Peony’ because it was always seen in profusion at that flower show. As recent trends have focused on ‘less gardened’ styles it has been seen less often and, unrelated, it has lost its Award of Garden Merit, but I grow it and adore it.
If candy pink is not your thing then the colour range extends to every kind of pink.
And one of my favourites is ‘Moon of Nippon’ an ‘Imperial’ peony with single flowers of purest white.
But the most exciting development among peonies is the development of Itoh peonies which are hybrids produced by crossing herbaceous peonies and tree peonies. There are now dozens of varieties and although the newest are still expensive, the older and more common varieties are very affordable. The reason you should plant some is because they flower for an extended period, the plants are semi-woody and never need staking and their foliage is lovely. They also have a wider colour range than herbaceous peonies. They are still rather exotic but they are really the best peonies for your garden.
‘Bartzella’ is the most widely available and one of the best – please give it a try. You will not be disappointed. I bought mine ten years ago when it cost a small fortune – and took some finding – but it is now affordable and a perfect addition to your garden. Look out for others including ‘First Arrival’ too which, as you can see below, makes a lovely addition to to the garden. (this plant was two years old in this photo, growing in quite heavy, clay soil)
If peonies are not yet in stock at Nags Hall, make a start on your planting by digging over the area and mixing in good compost and removing perennial weeds so you are ready to plant in March.
Keep warm