Are Peonies Hardy Enough for Your Garden

Peonies are a beautiful addition to any garden, but their hardiness can be a concern for some gardeners. They are technically hardy, but can be sensitive to extreme temperatures.

In zones with harsh winters, peonies need to be protected from frost and freezing temperatures. This can be done by applying a thick layer of mulch or straw to the soil.

Peonies can tolerate temperatures as low as -20°F, but prolonged exposure to cold can cause damage.

Growing peonies can be a bit tricky, especially in warmer climates. In zones 7-9, peonies can be challenging to grow due to winter temperatures rarely falling below freezing.

To succeed, start with the right type of peony and plant it correctly. In the south, look for microclimates with cooler soil, full morning sun, and dappled afternoon shade. Planting near a large shrub can also provide protection from afternoon heat.

In warm climates, herbaceous peonies should be planted even more shallowly, with the thick roots just 1/2 to 1” below the soil surface. This will help them thrive.

Additional reading: What Kind of Soil Do Peonies like

Growing peonies in the south can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can be successful. Start with the right type of peony and plant it correctly.

To choose a planting location, look for microclimates where the soil stays cooler than normal. Full morning sun and dappled afternoon shade is ideal.

Planting your peony near a large shrub can give it some protection from afternoon heat. Plan to provide drip irrigation from late spring through early fall.

Cover the soil with a 1-2" layer of mulch after planting to help retain moisture. Favor early-blooming varieties so your plants bloom before the weather gets too hot.

Gardeners in zones 8-9 find peonies with single or semi-double flowers tend to perform better than doubles. Plant herbaceous peonies even more shallowly than in the north.

Position the thick, tuberous roots, which are actually modified stems, just 1/2 to 1” below the soil surface. If people in your neighborhood can grow apples, you can probably grow peonies.

Most newly planted peonies take at least 3 years to produce a good show of flowers.

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Growing peonies in the South can be a bit tricky, but tree peonies are a great option.

Tree peonies can tolerate more heat than herbaceous peonies, making them perfect for warmer climates.

In fact, they can grow all the way south to Horticultural Zone 9, which is a significant advantage over other types of peonies.

No additional care is recommended or required for these types of peonies in zones 7 through 9, making them a low-maintenance choice for Southern gardeners.

For another approach, see: Names of Peonies

Herbaceous peonies are the most classic type of garden peony, and they're actually quite hardy.

They die to the ground in late fall and emerge again in spring, with new growth sprouting from modified stems that lie just below the soil surface.

There are about 30 species of herbaceous peonies, with Paeonia lactiflora being one of the most common.

It's native to China and can grow up to 40" tall, producing multiple buds on each stem.

Herbaceous peonies require a long winter dormancy – at least six weeks at temperatures that stay consistently below 40-45°F.

This means they're not the best choice for the south, where winters are milder.

Cultivars of P. lactiflora like Bowl of Beauty, Sarah Bernhardt, and Festiva Maxima grow best in cold climates (hardiness zones 3-7).

Hybrid herbaceous peonies are available in a wide range of heights, colors, and bloom times, and typically have stronger stems and fewer side buds than P. lactiflora.

Some hybrid herbaceous peony cultivars that have proven to grow well in warm climates include America, Blaze, Coral Charm, Felix Crousse, and Red Charm.

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Tree peonies can grow quite tall, reaching heights of 6 feet and widths of 4 feet, making them a great choice for adding some drama to your garden.

Tree peonies require a winter dormancy period, but temperatures don't need to drop below freezing, making them suitable for zones 4-9.

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Tree peonies actually prefer growing in dappled shade, unlike other types of peonies that do best in full sun.

If you live in a cold climate, wrapping the plant with burlap in late fall will protect the stems and help them survive the winter.

Some tree peony cultivars, like Snow Lotus, Pink Lotus, and Cup of Shining Night, have proven to be especially heat tolerant, making them a great choice for warmer climates.

Tree peonies like the Gansu group, also known as Rockii peonies, are fast-growing and exceptionally hardy, growing up to 7 feet tall.

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Tree peonies are surprisingly hardy, but they do require some protection, especially in cold climates. They can grow in zones 4-9, but temperatures below freezing can still cause damage.

To protect your tree peony from cold temperatures, wrap the plant with burlap in late fall, as this will help shield the stems. In warmer climates, you can skip this step.

While peonies love cold weather, they don't need much protection, and cutting them back after the leaves turn yellow in fall is a good idea. Be sure to leave the reddish or pink buds, called "eyes", intact, as they're the beginnings of next year's stems.

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Tree peonies can grow well in zones 4-9, but they still require some protection from extreme cold.

Temperatures don't need to drop below freezing for tree peonies to go dormant, which makes them more adaptable to various climates.

If you live in a cold climate, wrapping the plant with burlap in late fall will protect the stems.

Tree peonies are more cold-tolerant than other types of peonies, but they can still be damaged by prolonged frosts.

If the buds have started to open, there will be damage, but if they are tightly closed, they typically see a full recovery.

It's essential to keep the covering from touching the plants when protecting them from frost, as this will cause more harm than good.

Peonies don't need much protection, but a little care can go a long way in ensuring their health throughout the winter.

Cutting peonies nearly to the ground after the leaves turn yellow in fall is a good idea, but be sure not to remove any of the reddish or pink buds, also known as "eyes."

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Botrytis Paeoniae is a fungus that can wreak havoc on your peony plants. It's especially prevalent when the weather is cool, wet, and humid.

The symptoms of Botrytis Paeoniae are unmistakable: stalks wilt and die, and buds turn black. This can happen at any time of the year when temperatures remain below 70 degrees.

Botrytis can persist for years through spores in the soil, making it a persistent problem if left unchecked. It's common in many gardens, so it's essential to be aware of its presence.

If you notice Botrytis on your peonies, cut off the diseased portions of the plant, dipping your pruners in a 10% solution of bleach between each cut. This will help prevent the disease from spreading.

Throw out the diseased portions; don't compost them, as this can spread the fungus further.

To care for your peonies, start by providing the right conditions. Plant them in a spot with full morning sun and dappled afternoon shade, and consider planting near a large shrub for extra protection from the heat.

You'll also want to water your peonies regularly, using drip irrigation from late spring through early fall. After planting, cover the soil with a 1-2" layer of mulch to help retain moisture.

In warm climates, herbaceous peonies should be planted even more shallowly than in the north, with the thick, tuberous roots just 1/2 to 1” below the soil surface.

Peonies are cold-hardy perennials, so plant them as soon as the ground is thawed, regardless of frost or freeze potential. Don't wait for the frost date to plant your peony roots.

Plant them while you still have cold or snowy days in the forecast, and store them in the fridge if the ground is frozen solid at the time of purchase or delivery. Keep them in the bag as they came, without adding water.

It's normal for bare-root peonies to produce minimal growth above ground the first year, and for peonies grown in pots to have buds wither and leaves die back early. Don't worry, this is normal.

Diseases are more prevalent on peonies that have been planted in spring, so watch for botrytis and treat accordingly.

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We don't recommend planting peonies in pots, especially tree peonies, as they do best when planted in the ground.

If you don't have space directly in the ground, peonies can be successfully grown in raised beds. Drainage is the key to planting in any situation, especially raised beds.

Raised beds need to be at least 2 feet deep to accommodate the deep planting necessary for tree peonies. We line the boxes with landscape fabric and fill them with potting soil amended with compost, worm castings, and crushed limestone or granite.

To grow peonies in pots, you'll need a large planter, at least 2 feet deep and 5 gallons in size. Commercial potting mixes are available, but we haven't found one that we really like, so look for those with extra porosity.

Pots will need to remain outside in the winter, as peonies need the cold season to flower. Don't bring them inside or store them in a warm greenhouse.

Be sure that your pots don't continually fill with water, as this will cause peonies to rot.

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Feed your peonies lightly three times a year to keep them healthy and floriferous. This includes in the fall, early spring, and early summer.

Compost is a great option for feeding your peonies, and we recommend using locally-sourced compost or OMRI-certified worm castings. Thin layers are better than thick, and apply at the drip line, not over the center of the plant.

Foliar feeds are also effective, as plants absorb nutrients more efficiently through their leaf surfaces than through their roots. Use liquid fertilizers like Neptune's Harvest Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer or Nature’s Source plant food during critical growing times.

If you choose to use synthetic fertilizers, opt for a well-balanced one that releases nutrients at a slow rate. A 10-10-10 fertilizer is best for spring and summer, and a 5-10-10 is best for fall.

Additional reading: What Is the Best Fertilizer for Peonies

Hardy peonies can thrive in a variety of soils, including clay and sandy soils, as long as they're not constantly waterlogged.

Peonies generally prefer full sun, but in warmer areas they can tolerate partial shade.

In a semi-shady spot, peonies like 'Shirley Temple' can blend in beautifully with other perennials, such as Aruncus dioicus.

The seed pods of peony 'Garden Peace' are particularly handsome and can be a lovely addition to your garden.

The leaves of peony 'Early Windflower' remain beautiful for a long time, even after the blooms have faded.

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