If you missed my post on exactly how crazy I am over peonies, check it out. If it becomes necessary to move or divide a peony, care should be used because if done improperly, the plant may never flower again. [1] X Research source August through the beginning of November is a safe period to transplant peonies. ), Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale) and Siberian iris (Iris siberica) are best divided in the fall. In areas that experience a hard frost early in the autumn, it is best to divide all perennials at least four to six seeks before the ground freezes, making September a good choice. Here’s how to grow peonies and get the best peony flowers in your garden. Choose a sunny location that gets at least six hours of sun daily that has well-draining soil and dig a hole that is large enough to hold the full root system of the newly divided pieces. This is when the plant will be dormant, making it safer to move it to another spot. In wet autumns, delay until spring. You will not see any new growth until the spring. Cut thepeony stems near ground level in … You want to be sure to dig up as much of the root as possible. Cut the roots apart with a knife sterilized in one part bleach and nine parts water. The fattest and most scrumptious of all flowers, a rare fusion of fluff and majesty, the peony is now coming into bloom. Watering with a general purpose fertilizer helps the new peonies establish themselves before winter. Helpful. It is easy to locate the plants that need dividing. However, digging and dividing a peony now in our growing zone should be no problem, as long as there is no snow cover (which is rare here anyway) and the ground is not frozen at the time. Now is a great time. With a sharp shovel and a half hour to spare, you can spread their loveliness around the landscape for other generations to enjoy. Heather Ridge tends her own gardens in Boulder, Colo., but loves traveling the world to sample soils, study plants and get her hands dirty whenever possible. Daylilies require division every three to six years or when the clumps become crowded and the plants begin flowering poorly. It is a good idea to water the soil around any plants you will be dividing prior to disturbing them. Often, a sharp knife is necessary to divide large, dense clumps. Avoid transplanting peonies in the spring when they’re beginning to bloom. Aug 25, 2015 - This Pin was discovered by Vanessa Lochhead. Jun 6, 2015 - The root clumps of garden peonies (Paeonia officinalis) are typically divided and transplanted after the plants go dormant in late summer or early autumn. I find moving or dividing peony at this time of year reduces the likelihood of heat stress, but still gives the transplant time to become reestablished before winter. Choose a planting site with full sun (six to eight hours per day), except in southern and southwestern regions, where afternoon shade is ideal. Everything has its season and for dividing perennials, that season is fall. September and October are the best months for dividing peonies, after the long, sunny days of summer have supplied the plants with plenty of sunshine to recharge their food reserves underground. The only way to multiply peony plants is to divide peonies. Divide peony roots into two or three sections, with each section containing tuberous roots and three to five visible growing eyes, or buds, at the top of each section. Daylilies can be divided in early spring, as new growth begins to emerge, or in late summer to early fall. Similar to irises (Iris germanica), which grow in USDA zones 3 through 10, peonies have specialized root systems (or modified stems) called rhizomes that grow horizontally underground and store energy for the plant during the dormant months each year. It depends on where you live. Both plants thrive in well-drained but rich soil in a location that receives all-day direct sunlight. Take the pieces you have divided from the larger clump and shake off excess soil. Here in the TN area, I have always had the best results by dividing peonies in October. Peonies rarely require division, so you can go 10 or more years before disturbing a healthy clump of plants. How to divide a peony. Water the soil after planting to settle it and then spread a 2-inch mulch layer over the ground to conserve moisture and insulate the new divisions. A sharp shovel or spade will do the trick, but a favorite tool for dividing perennials is the sharp, Japanese-style hori hori gardening knife. You can divide daylilies at any time after they flower through early fall. These tips can apply to all your different types of peonies. Early fall is another great time to divide perennials, especially peonies. Peony plants should be very well established before you even consider dividing them. Work compost into the soil before planting to improve soil quality and provide nutrients. This allows the transplants to establish their roots long before the following winter’s frosts. The best time is in late summer and autumn. When should you divide perennials? Moving and dividing peonies should be done in autumn once the leaves have died back. Depending on the depth and size of your peony clump, you may have to put a bit of pressure on the rhizome to remove it, so a longer-handled tool can be helpful. Late summer or autumn dug and replanted into moist soil your peony will get off to a normal growth cycle, quickly starting new root growth upon … Shake or wash off the soil, then carefully pull the clump apart. If you dig plants in spring, plants may fail to bloom for a year or two. Both plants can benefit from periodic division to expand the bed or prevent overcrowding if it's done at the right time. It is likely that you will not get all the plant out of the ground. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. At that time they are dormant or going into dormancy, enabling you to have easily cared for replant material freshly fortified with stored food. Mix up a gallon per new plant using a water soluble formula with equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium; this would read 7-7-7 on the label. We have some peonies around the place – my very favorite flower. However digging them in mid summer will diminish the show of flowers. I would definitely get it done now, though. Loosen the soil with a trowel at least 6 inches from the base of the plants and then lever the trowel beneath the root mass and lift the plants from the ground. Dig it 12 to 24 inches deep and then backfill it halfway using more compost than soil. When dividing peonies, loosen the soil around the entire root system and remove the plant from the ground. Ideally peonies are divided in the fall season. Spring is also better suited to plants that are a touch tender; Many spring-flowering plants, such as irises, are best divided in summer (Jun-Aug) after flowering when they produce new roots; How to divide perennials . Dividing peonies may be done any time the plants are dormant, although the best time of year is in the fall. Depending on the depth and size of your peony clump, you may have to put a bit of pressure on the rhizome to remove it, so a longer-handled tool can be helpful. Peonies have tuberous root clumps that you cut apart into separate plants. Finally, intersectional peonies are a cross between tree and herbaceous peonies. Ellis. Now is the time to think of dividing or relocating peonies, in this case an old heirloom double fernleaf. The herbaceous peonies bloom early to mid-summer in most places. Divide peony clumps following a summer when flowering is not abundant, every few years.. Divide and replant them in the fall for best performance. Once you have removed sizable sections, cover the remaining clump back over with soil and press firmly. They have a more delicate root system than the typical herbaceous peony and require a more gentle handling. They are deer- and rabbit-resistant too, so you can usually depend on peonies to put on a beautiful spring show with their enormous, colorful flowers. When can I divide daylilies? Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. In fact, they are generally best left undisturbed and moved only when necessary. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Growing and Dividing Peonies. You can expect blooms from these beauties in the spring. Dividing Peonies. Peonies shaded by largetrees or shrubs bloom poorly and should be moved to a sunny site.Large, old plants may become overcrowded and flower poorly. It is best to wait until they have finished blooming. Reply. although in the Summer they look more like a shrub than a flower. This might sound complicated, but it’s not. Peonies divided in the spring grow very poorly. In areas that experience a hard frost early in the autumn, it is best to divide all perennials at least four to six seeks before the ground freezes, making September a good choice. In early fall, there is less heat stress on your plants than there is at the height of summer. Choose a sunny location that gets at least six hours of sun daily that has well-draining soil and dig a hole that is large enough to hold the full root system of the newly divided pieces. When to move and divide a peony. September and October are the best months for dividing peonies, after the long, sunny days of summer have supplied the plants with plenty of sunshine to recharge their food reserves underground. By this time, the peony should be done blooming and entering its dormancy period. Instead, mentally divide the peony into quarters and dig up half. For best growth, peonies need well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. When can I divide daylilies? A sharp shovel or spade will do the trick, but a favorite tool for dividing perennials is the sharp, Japanese-style hori hori gardening knife. The best time to move or divide peonies is September.Moving established plants is a simple procedure. on Oct 27, 2017. This can be any time from October to February. Once you have completed these steps, which work for dividing all peony varieties, you have nothing left to do but sit back and wait for spring. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Iowa State University Extension Yard and Garden: How to Divide Peonies, Missouri Botanical Garden: Fern-Leaf Peony. Depending on its age, you might need a fork or a spade. By waiting until the days begin to shorten, you ensure that the rhizomes have ample energy to get your peonies started off next spring in their new location. They recover slowly after division, and they may not flower for a full year afterward. First, you need to use a sharp spade and dig around the peony plant. The peony is outrageously beautiful in bloom from spring to summer—with lush foliage all summer long. With a sharp knife, split the bulbs, leaving three to five eyes on each division. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Replant so that eyes are about an inch deep and allow 3 feet between each plant. Pic #1 is the plant to be dug. Everything has its season and for dividing perennials, that season is fall. Peonies rarely require division, so you can go 10 or more years before disturbing a healthy clump of plants. Information on average dates of hard frosts can be found on extension websites for your area. All Rights Reserved. Plants can be divided anytime during the growing season. Dig planting holes large enough so peony divisions and roots easily fit. I hope that this article has answered any questions you may have had on how to grow peonies and helped to convince you that peonies are straightforward to grow and care for, giving you confidence to grow some yourselves. your own Pins on Pinterest Firstly dig the plant out of the ground. Peonies (Paeonia spp.) Daylilies can be divided in early spring, as new growth begins to emerge, or in late summer to early fall. The best time to divide peonies is late summer (September in the Northern Hemisphere) or early fall. Before transplanting peonies, prepare the new planting hole. Dig up the entire clump with a spade. Careful digging minimizes root damage on both peonies and daylilies. It is best to plant these immediately so that they do not dry out. Once divided you can share them with friends and family. Separate daylilies into two or more clumps, with each clump containing three or more shoots. My method is to use a stream of water to remove the soil around them rather than just dig them with a fork or shovel. Posted on December 7, 2013 by Brenda Ibey. Avoid transplanting peonies in summer unless circumstances demand it. Plant peony roots with the top 1 inch below the soil surface, and plant daylily roots at the same depth they were planted previously. If you decide to divide your peonies, do so in the fall. Nor do they appreciate gardeners fiddling with their roots. Often, a sharp knife is necessary to divide large, dense clumps. Transplant divided peonies and daylilies promptly after dividing them so the roots don't dry out or suffer stress. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Janet Barnard-Gilbert. These rhizomes send up leaves and stems in the spring and replenish themselves during the summer. Daylilies recover quickly and usually resume flowering the following year. It does not matter if the thick … Early spring through early summer is a great time to divide most perennials. January and February would probably be the limit on when to divide a peony in a Southern growing zone. It is not a good idea to divide plants in the heat of summer. There is less gardening work to do in the fall compared with spring. Begin by trimming down the stems and greens of your peony plant. Peonies have been referred to as the ‘Queen of the Garden’ and they truly deserve this title. They can easily live for 100 years or more in the same spot and will be only become more beautiful with time. You may need to rinse the roots lightly with water so you can easily see them. Dividing Peonies in Spring Peonies can be … Peonies are normally left in the same location for several years. But after 10 or 15 years, peony blooms slow down, and that’s the time for you to dig, divide, and transplant them. Discover (and save!) Helpful. In the fall before the first frost is when I did it. Plant the eyes 2 inches below the soil surface in cold regions, 1 inch in warm zones. Yes, fall is the right season for dividing herbaceous peonies (Paeonia lactiflora and others), but I have to stress right from the start there is no obligation here: peonies don’t need division. Fall is the time to divide your peonies. The common garden peony (Paeonia lactiflora), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 8, and the fern-leaf (Paeonia tenuifolia) and tree varieties (Paeonia suffruticosa), which grow in USDA zones 4 through 8, thrive in a variety of climates and can easily be propagated through the process of division. Aim to transplant the peonies in the fall. When we moved here I was very happy to see that there were already some peonies planted. Peonies perform best in well-drained soils in full sun. Peonies perform best in well-drained soils in full sun. Shake or wash off the soil, then carefully pull the clump apart. If root systems are damaged within one to two years, the plant will die. Dividing. The best time for propagating peonies is in autumn, after plants have become dormant. We often use a mini-digger! This is not as necessary with peonies, which do not demonstrate the revitalizing effects of separating clumps. Large,old plants should be dug, divided, and transplanted to improveperformance. Dividing and Planting Peonies, Iris and Daylilies Daylilies Dividing Daylilies should be divided every six to ten years, or when they become overcrowded. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Tackle dividing peonies in summer, and you risk interrupting the production of the plant’s internal food stores that fuel next year’s growth and blooming. They are available as single, semi-double and huge fully double shapes in numerous colours including white, yellow, pink, red and very dark burgundy. on Oct 27, 2017. Reply. Peonies grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, while daylilies grow in zones 3 through 10. As perennials go, peonies can be extremely long-lived, growing for up to 100 years. When digging, cut into the rhizome with your tool to divide the clump. This will not harm the plant because new growing tissue will form on each piece of the rhizome. If I Cut Back a Shasta Daisy Will It Rebloom in the Fall? In colder climates it's a good idea to add a thin layer of mulch to keep new peonies warm. In warmer climates where you have not had a hard frost, you may leave some of the stems for appearance, but cutting back fully makes the division process easier. After earning her MA from Colorado State University in Agricultural Education, she has spent the past decade teaching classes in the Plant Sciences. Like Oriental poppies or Siberian irises, they rarely require dividing; but if you want to break a mature plant into several smaller ones or to move an existing plant, the work is best done in late summer or early fall. Perennials with fleshy roots such as peonies (Paeonia spp. Take the pieces you have divided from the larger clump and shake off excess soil. Reply. Late summer to early fall, whenever that is where you live. Be very careful not to damage the roots. So, four to six weeks before hard frost, when the leaves begin to look ragged, cut back the … Ciarra. Helpful. For someone just stating a garden they are an ideal choice because they provide a spectacular spring and summer show with very little effort from us. have been cultivated in landscapes around the world for thousands of years and can grow in your own garden for almost a century, without ever needing to be divided. To make sure to allow plants time to put down roots before winter arrives, divide … You only need to divide peonies if you want additional plants to enlarge the garden. The second type of peony is the tree peony, which is a woody-stemmed shrub that loses its leaves in the fall. Dig up the entire clump with a spade. Cover each rhizome with at least 3 to 4 inches of soil and press firmly. Similar to irises (Iris germanica), which grow in USDA zones 3 through 10, peonies have specialized root systems (or modified stems) called rhizomes that grow horizontally underground and store energy for the plant during the dormant months each year. While these large-bloomed beauties are content to grow where they are, dividing them up periodically will give you more of them to admire. Daylilies produce fleshy roots that break apart into several new divisions that can each grow into a healthy, flowering plant. Today’s post is all about dividing peonies. When dividing perennials like iris, which tend to form self-strangling clumps, you usually dig up the entire plant, divide it and then replant the smaller clumps. A good way to do this is to think of the clump like a circle and choose slices from opposite sides. Divide peonies in fall after the foliage begins to die back naturally but before frost. Divide spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall because. Divide summer-flowering plants in spring (Mar-May) or autumn (Sep-Nov) when the soil is dry enough to work. Use pruners to cut back the existing stems and stalks on your plant before you divide it. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. complement each other in perennial flower gardens, with the peonies blooming in early summer and the daylilies remaining in bloom through mid-to-late summer. Clemson Cooperative Extension: Dividing Perennials, The United States National Arboretum: Divide Those Daylilies. Peonies (Paeonia spp.) Peonies have been successfully taken up and replanted at any season of the year. Peonies are a little different from most perennials in this regard. and daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) Remove pieces that are at least 3 to 4 inches long.

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