PLANT IT NOW. BRAG IN JUNE.
A bare-root peony wants three things: sun, drainage, and to be planted shallow. Here is the whole job.
WHEN
In fall, 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes. On the prairies that usually means by mid to late October. If your root arrives later, plant it anyway as long as you can still dig.
WHERE
Full sun, at least 6 hours a day. Soil that drains. Not where water sits in spring. Give each plant room: 90 cm (3 ft) in every direction.
THE STEPS
- Unpack the root as soon as it arrives. If it feels dry, soak the roots in water for 1 to 2 hours.
- Dig a hole about 45 cm (18 in) wide and deep. Loosen the soil and mix in compost.
- Refill the hole until the crown will sit with the eyes 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) below the surface.
- Set the root in with the eyes pointing up. Spread the roots out.
- Fill in, firm gently and water well.
- After the ground freezes, cover with 10 to 15 cm of mulch (straw or leaves). Pull it back in spring.
TOO DEEP IS THE CLASSIC MISTAKE.
A peony planted more than 5 cm down grows leaves for years and never flowers. Measure it. A ruler across the hole works.
CAN’T PLANT RIGHT AWAY?
Keep the root in its bag somewhere cool: a fridge or a cold garage, not freezing. Plant within 7 days. Don’t let it dry out or sit wet.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Year one: leaves, maybe a bud. Year two: more stems. Year three: the show. Don’t cut the leaves back until they die down in fall.
FALL CLEANUP
Once the leaves have died back, cut the stems to just above the ground and clear the debris away. Itoh peonies get the same treatment as garden peonies.