By Lin Johnson
From October thru Mid-December, it is time to plant beautiful peonies in Arkansas. Those planted in autumn do better getting established than those planted in the spring of the year. Spring-planted peonies seem to lag behind a year in blooming. Peonies often take 2-3 years to bloom anyway so any advantage is good.
Plant them where they get 6 hours of sun. In Arkansas they do better if protected from the harshest afternoon sun. Good drainage is essential and using compost to improve the soil is appreciated by the plants.
Throw several hands of compost in the hole where the peony is to be planted. Mix the compost with the soil that came from the hole when back-filling the hole. The hole needs to be big enough that the bare root peony can fit in the hole easily and spread out. The top-most eye needs to point up and be an inch or two from the soil level (top of hole).
Space plants about three feet apart. Water well, and add an inch of mulch on top of ground to conserve moisture and help stabilize swings in winter temperatures. Fertilize in the April and May. At the end of the growing season cut the foliage to the ground.
Lin Johnson, a Garland County Master Gardener, volunteers with GC Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification. For more info, call 501-623-6841 or email abates@uaex.edu.
