The peony is outrageously beautiful in bloom from spring to summer—with lush foliage all summer long. In wet autumns, delay until spring. Firstly dig the plant out of the ground. There is less gardening work to do in the fall compared with spring. Information on average dates of hard frosts can be found on extension websites for your area. 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. Dig planting holes large enough so peony divisions and roots easily fit. Helpful. The best time is in late summer and autumn. Careful digging minimizes root damage on both peonies and daylilies. If root systems are damaged within one to two years, the plant will die. If it becomes necessary to move or divide a peony, care should be used because if done improperly, the plant may never flower again. Plants can be divided anytime during the growing season. In fact, they are generally best left undisturbed and moved only when necessary. Clemson Cooperative Extension: Dividing Perennials, The United States National Arboretum: Divide Those Daylilies. Instead, mentally divide the peony into quarters and dig up half. 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. The best time to divide peonies is late summer (September in the Northern Hemisphere) or early fall. Peonies rarely require division, so you can go 10 or more years before disturbing a healthy clump of plants. Moving and dividing peonies should be done in autumn once the leaves have died back. Janet Barnard-Gilbert. It is likely that you will not get all the plant out of the ground. 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. In colder climates it's a good idea to add a thin layer of mulch to keep new peonies warm. The best time for propagating peonies is in autumn, after plants have become dormant. If you dig plants in spring, plants may fail to bloom for a year or two. Once you have removed sizable sections, cover the remaining clump back over with soil and press firmly. Finally, intersectional peonies are a cross between tree and herbaceous peonies. The second type of peony is the tree peony, which is a woody-stemmed shrub that loses its leaves in the fall. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Aim to transplant the peonies in the fall. Daylilies require division every three to six years or when the clumps become crowded and the plants begin flowering poorly. You want to be sure to dig up as much of the root as possible. Divide peony clumps following a summer when flowering is not abundant, every few years.. Divide and replant them in the fall for best performance. Dig up the entire clump with a spade. Ellis. 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. You will not see any new growth until the spring. 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. Pic #1 is the plant to be dug. Divide summer-flowering plants in spring (Mar-May) or autumn (Sep-Nov) when the soil is dry enough to work. 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. 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. Replant so that eyes are about an inch deep and allow 3 feet between each plant. They are available as single, semi-double and huge fully double shapes in numerous colours including white, yellow, pink, red and very dark burgundy. 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. 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. If you missed my post on exactly how crazy I am over peonies, check it out. When digging, cut into the rhizome with your tool to divide the clump. 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. When to move and divide a peony. 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. Peony plants should be very well established before you even consider dividing them. Reply. Choose a planting site with full sun (six to eight hours per day), except in southern and southwestern regions, where afternoon shade is ideal. although in the Summer they look more like a shrub than a flower. Separate daylilies into two or more clumps, with each clump containing three or more shoots. Plant peony roots with the top 1 inch below the soil surface, and plant daylily roots at the same depth they were planted previously. 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. Watering with a general purpose fertilizer helps the new peonies establish themselves before winter. Use pruners to cut back the existing stems and stalks on your plant before you divide it. 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. Helpful. 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. This can be any time from October to February. Everything has its season and for dividing perennials, that season is fall. The only way to multiply peony plants is to divide peonies. Cut thepeony stems near ground level in … Cut the roots apart with a knife sterilized in one part bleach and nine parts water. 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. Aug 25, 2015 - This Pin was discovered by Vanessa Lochhead. Avoid transplanting peonies in summer unless circumstances demand it. 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. Late summer to early fall, whenever that is where you live. Dividing Peonies. These rhizomes send up leaves and stems in the spring and replenish themselves during the summer. 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. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. It is not a good idea to divide plants in the heat of summer. It is easy to locate the plants that need dividing. Peonies have been referred to as the ‘Queen of the Garden’ and they truly deserve this title. Perennials with fleshy roots such as peonies (Paeonia spp. Depending on its age, you might need a fork or a spade. All Rights Reserved. Reply. This might sound complicated, but it’s not. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. on Oct 27, 2017. Transplant divided peonies and daylilies promptly after dividing them so the roots don't dry out or suffer stress. Daylilies produce fleshy roots that break apart into several new divisions that can each grow into a healthy, flowering plant. ), Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale) and Siberian iris (Iris siberica) are best divided in the fall. 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. Everything has its season and for dividing perennials, that season is fall. This will not harm the plant because new growing tissue will form on each piece of the rhizome. A good way to do this is to think of the clump like a circle and choose slices from opposite sides. Both plants thrive in well-drained but rich soil in a location that receives all-day direct sunlight. They can easily live for 100 years or more in the same spot and will be only become more beautiful with time. Peonies rarely require division, so you can go 10 or more years before disturbing a healthy clump of plants. 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. Daylilies can be divided in early spring, as new growth begins to emerge, or in late summer to early fall. To make sure to allow plants time to put down roots before winter arrives, divide … Peonies perform best in well-drained soils in full sun. Divide spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall because. You can expect blooms from these beauties in the spring. When can I divide daylilies? Often, a sharp knife is necessary to divide large, dense clumps. This allows the transplants to establish their roots long before the following winter’s frosts. Cover each rhizome with at least 3 to 4 inches of soil and press firmly. Work compost into the soil before planting to improve soil quality and provide nutrients. How to 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. 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. Dividing and Planting Peonies, Iris and Daylilies Daylilies Dividing Daylilies should be divided every six to ten years, or when they become overcrowded. Now is the time to think of dividing or relocating peonies, in this case an old heirloom double fernleaf. This is when the plant will be dormant, making it safer to move it to another spot. Once divided you can share them with friends and family. 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. and daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) Here in the TN area, I have always had the best results by dividing peonies in October. 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 . 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. Peonies (Paeonia spp.) Shake or wash off the soil, then carefully pull the clump apart. Begin by trimming down the stems and greens of your peony plant. Dig up the entire clump with a spade. Peonies have been successfully taken up and replanted at any season of the year. Peonies are normally left in the same location for several years. At that time they are dormant or going into dormancy, enabling you to have easily cared for replant material freshly fortified with stored food. Growing and Dividing Peonies. Nor do they appreciate gardeners fiddling with their roots. Dig it 12 to 24 inches deep and then backfill it halfway using more compost than soil. 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. Peonies (Paeonia spp.) We have some peonies around the place – my very favorite flower. With a sharp shovel and a half hour to spare, you can spread their loveliness around the landscape for other generations to enjoy. 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. Shake or wash off the soil, then carefully pull the clump apart. Before transplanting peonies, prepare the new planting hole. Avoid transplanting peonies in the spring when they’re beginning to bloom. 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. 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. It depends on where you live. 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. 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. 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. Peonies are a little different from most perennials in this regard. While these large-bloomed beauties are content to grow where they are, dividing them up periodically will give you more of them to admire. Dividing Peonies in Spring Peonies can be … Discover (and save!) But after 10 or 15 years, peony blooms slow down, and that’s the time for you to dig, divide, and transplant them. Peonies have tuberous root clumps that you cut apart into separate plants. It is best to plant these immediately so that they do not dry out. January and February would probably be the limit on when to divide a peony in a Southern growing zone. Dividing peonies may be done any time the plants are dormant, although the best time of year is in the fall. They recover slowly after division, and they may not flower for a full year afterward. on Oct 27, 2017. Ciarra. [1] X Research source August through the beginning of November is a safe period to transplant peonies. In the fall before the first frost is when I did it. Dividing. Today’s post is all about dividing peonies. Posted on December 7, 2013 by Brenda Ibey. With a sharp knife, split the bulbs, leaving three to five eyes on each division. It does not matter if the thick … These tips can apply to all your different types of peonies. Ideally peonies are divided in the fall season. Early spring through early summer is a great time to divide most perennials. It is best to wait until they have finished blooming. When dividing peonies, loosen the soil around the entire root system and remove the plant from the ground. By this time, the peony should be done blooming and entering its dormancy period. your own Pins on Pinterest I would definitely get it done now, though. Often, a sharp knife is necessary to divide large, dense clumps. 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. Fall is the time to divide your peonies. Be very careful not to damage the roots. 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 … When can I divide daylilies? In early fall, there is less heat stress on your plants than there is at the height of summer. You can divide daylilies at any time after they flower through early fall. You only need to divide peonies if you want additional plants to enlarge the garden. After earning her MA from Colorado State University in Agricultural Education, she has spent the past decade teaching classes in the Plant Sciences. If I Cut Back a Shasta Daisy Will It Rebloom in the Fall? You may need to rinse the roots lightly with water so you can easily see them. The best time to move or divide peonies is September.Moving established plants is a simple procedure. When we moved here I was very happy to see that there were already some peonies planted. Divide peonies in fall after the foliage begins to die back naturally but before frost. Reply. First, you need to use a sharp spade and dig around the peony plant. 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. Early fall is another great time to divide perennials, especially peonies. 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. Peonies perform best in well-drained soils in full sun.