Last Updated on February 14, 2022 by
How long do peonies last after planting? Do you have to grow them every year, or they will come back year after year? Let’s learn about how to grow these flowers together.
Peonies are a staple flower that has been cultivated for over 2,000 years. It is the national flower of China, symbolizing unity. In America, it is an old-fashioned flower representing romance and gentility of a by-gone era.
It is easy to be fooled by their delicate appearance; these are tough plants capable of living longer than you. These flowers have been used as perennial borders for the longest time due to their massive, romantic blooms and their sweet and sensual fragrance.
No wonder every peony grower wants to extend their blooming season to enjoy these beauties for longer. Let’s explore how to grow your peonies and learn how long they last in your garden.
How Long Do Peonies Bloom Last?
These beautiful flowers bloom only once per year. In some zones, the blooms come in late March/early April, depending on the climate.
Once they bloom, they remain in shrub form until it’s time for them to die back or be harvested. Once flowering is over, they will not grow again until the following year, when they regrow from the ground up again.
Though they seem dead during the cold months, they are inactive but will regrow again next year.
How Long Do Peonies Last?
Did you know these flowers can last over 100 years in your garden? Some peony growers have inherited these magical flowers from their parents or grandparents, who grew them for many years.
Each peony bloom lasts around 7 to 10 days producing multiple flowers; if you want to extend peony blooming in your garden, plant different varieties that flower at different times within the 6 weeks of blooming.
Growing peonies of various types at different times helps you enjoy an extended season of blooming. We have a list of different blooming peonies below that you can choose from.
Early Blooming Peonies
These are the first peonies to bloom. They splash the spring garden with a glorious array of color and fragrance. In addition to the standard white and pink peonies, other luscious coral varieties make a great debut in the early season.
The early blooming peonies are best for mild winter areas or where summer heat arrives early to facilitate blooming.
Examples of early-season peonies:
- Albert Niva
- Coral Charm
- Alertie
- Coral Sunset
- Pink Hawaiian
Van Zyverden Peonies Sarah Bernhardt Set of 5 Roots
Early-Mid Bloomers
These are not mid-season bloomers instead;, they follow the early type very closely behind. Their bloom arrives between the first and mid-season peonies offering a tremendous explosion of vibrant colors and fascinating flowers.
Their examples include:
- Kansas
- Duchess de Nemours
- Festiya maxima
- Gardenia
- Gay Paree
Mid-Season Peonies
The mid-season blooming varieties contain countless cherished heirloom peonies. These varieties graced many gardens in America before the declaration of Independence.
Examples include:
- Big Ben
- Benjamin Franklin
- Mrs. F.D. Roosevelt
- Edulis Superba
- Koppius
Late Season Bloomers
These varieties bloom late and are ideal for growing in climates where summer heat stays until July. They include some of the most romantic and favorite types among gardeners. The latest season bloomer is the spectacular peony sword dance that bursts with brilliant flowers of magenta-red petals.
Examples of late bloomers include:
- Felix Crousse
- Bowl of Beauty
- Dr. Alexander Fleming
- Sara Bernhardt
- Karl Rosenfield
Cutting Peonies For Arrangement
Now that you know different varieties you can grow for either early or late-blooming, you need also to learn when to cut peonies for your indoor use. These flowers are breathtaking, and everyone who sees them during bloom season wants some for their vases.
When cutting peonies, look for,
- An open green outer leaf that reveals colorful petals inside. If it has started opening, cut it, it will finish blooming in your arrangement.
- A soft bloom – Squeeze the flower to feel if it’s hard or soft. If you notice it’s hard, don’t harvest it; instead, wait until it’s a bit squishy. Some people advise that it should be as soft as marshmallows but harvest it when it’s a little tougher than a marshmallow to so it blooms beautifully indoors.
- Don’t cut your peonies if they are fully green all over.
Check out these Beautiful Flowers:
How To Cut Peonies For Arrangements?
Once you know your peonies are ready, it’s best to know how to harvest them.
Cut diagonally through the stem just above the area where another stem is forming. You can cut them 2/3 down the length of the stem to provide adequate playroom in the arrangement.
Once cut, place them in a bucket of warm water that you should have nearby. Nearly all flowers like warm water, not cold.
You can then arrange your flowers in the arrangement of your choice and allow them to bloom in your home or give them out as gifts.
Read more about How Much Sun Do Lilies Need? – An Overview
How To Make Cut Peonies Last Longer
When you harvest your peonies for an arrangement indoors, it is possible to help them last longer by giving them the proper care that includes.
Use A Clean Vase To Store Them – Choose a clean vase and fill it with 2/3 of freshwater.
Add Flower Food – Flower food is packed with good nutrients that keep your flowers blooming for longer. Add the flower food into the water while stirring until it disappears.
Cut the Stems – Using a sharp pair of scissors, trim the stems by 3 to 5cm, cutting them at an angle. This allows your peonies to continue drinking.
Remove Any Leaves – Remove any leaves below the waterline to eliminate the growth of harmful bacteria, which peonies do not like.
FAQs
How can I make my peonies last longer?
If you have a beautiful peony bed in your garden, you know how it is that they don’t seem to last long. You’re always trying to get them to bloom again, but you just can’t seem to make it happen.
There are many ways to get peonies blooming again. Here are a few of the most popular ways to bring back peonies from the brink of death: Fertilize – The key to having healthy peony plants is a constant supply of nitrogen. This is the only thing that will encourage new growth.
Fertilize it once every month or two. Don’t overdo it, though. Remember that peony roots are shallow and need to breathe. If you keep fertilizing your plants too much, they will become stunted and will not bloom.
Do peonies bloom more than once a year?
The answer is yes. If your garden has been established for several years, then it is possible to enjoy blooming peonies again in the fall. The blooms are less showy but still beautiful.
Peonies bloom on the second year after planting, so you can expect your first bloom this year. In general, the bloom season of peonies is from May through August.
In order to ensure healthy peonies, you must plant them in a well-drained soil. It’s also important to plant them in full sun because they are shallow rooted and do not like to be watered in shady areas.
What month is best to plant peonies?
Peonies can be planted in all four seasons; however, depending on your climate and local conditions, they will need more or less time to establish themselves before they bloom.
However, the first and third weeks of May are the best time to plant peonies. This is because peony roots need a lot of time to develop before they can be planted in the ground. During this time, the temperature stays warm enough for the plants to grow quickly without freezing.
After planting, peony flowers appear in about two months. Peonies are easy to grow and should be planted in well-drained soil. They require regular watering throughout the growing season. However, peonies don’t like to get wet. If they do, the flowers will not bloom.
The best way to water them is to mist the soil around the plants with a hose. Pruning is another important part of caring for peony plants. Pruning peonies helps to keep the plants healthy and keeps them looking nice.
Do peonies like sun or shade?
They will be happy in sun, but they can also do well in a shady area.
Where do peonies grow best?
I would suggest that you make sure your plants are getting enough water, especially during hot, dry periods. When I'm planting out, I try to make sure that there's at least 2-3 inches of water in the soil before I plant. If you're planting from seed, it will need more time to germinate.
If you're having problems with pests, it may be because your plants are not getting enough water. You can try increasing your watering schedule or adding mulch to help keep moisture in the soil. It can also be helpful to use floating row covers when temperatures start to get hot, as this will help maintain humidity levels in the air.
Conclusion
FAQs
How can I make my peonies last longer?
If you have a beautiful peony bed in your garden, you know how it is that they don’t seem to last long. You’re always trying to get them to bloom again, but you just can’t seem to make it happen.
There are many ways to get peonies blooming again. Here are a few of the most popular ways to bring back peonies from the brink of death: Fertilize – The key to having healthy peony plants is a constant supply of nitrogen. This is the only thing that will encourage new growth.
Fertilize it once every month or two. Don’t overdo it, though. Remember that peony roots are shallow and need to breathe. If you keep fertilizing your plants too much, they will become stunted and will not bloom.
Do peonies bloom more than once a year?
The answer is yes. If your garden has been established for several years, then it is possible to enjoy blooming peonies again in the fall. The blooms are less showy but still beautiful.
Peonies bloom on the second year after planting, so you can expect your first bloom this year. In general, the bloom season of peonies is from May through August.
In order to ensure healthy peonies, you must plant them in a well-drained soil. It’s also important to plant them in full sun because they are shallow rooted and do not like to be watered in shady areas.
What month is best to plant peonies?
Peonies can be planted in all four seasons; however, depending on your climate and local conditions, they will need more or less time to establish themselves before they bloom.
However, the first and third weeks of May are the best time to plant peonies. This is because peony roots need a lot of time to develop before they can be planted in the ground. During this time, the temperature stays warm enough for the plants to grow quickly without freezing.
After planting, peony flowers appear in about two months. Peonies are easy to grow and should be planted in well-drained soil. They require regular watering throughout the growing season. However, peonies don’t like to get wet. If they do, the flowers will not bloom.
The best way to water them is to mist the soil around the plants with a hose. Pruning is another important part of caring for peony plants. Pruning peonies helps to keep the plants healthy and keeps them looking nice.
Do peonies like sun or shade?
They will be happy in sun, but they can also do well in a shady area.
Where do peonies grow best?
I would suggest that you make sure your plants are getting enough water, especially during hot, dry periods. When I'm planting out, I try to make sure that there's at least 2-3 inches of water in the soil before I plant. If you're planting from seed, it will need more time to germinate.
If you're having problems with pests, it may be because your plants are not getting enough water. You can try increasing your watering schedule or adding mulch to help keep moisture in the soil. It can also be helpful to use floating row covers when temperatures start to get hot, as this will help maintain humidity levels in the air.
We have learned how long peonies last and how to extend your peonies flowers to last longer and give your home a different ambiance.
Growing peonies is easy and fast, and the beauty of this process is the many years you get to harvest these flowers from the same plant.
Flowers add some warmth that nothing else does and brings in a new fragrance to your home. You can’t afford to ignore flowers, especially the popular peonies.
Caroline is a gardener who loves to get down to the nitty–gritty of gardening. She proudly proclaims herself as a ‘dirt worshipper‘ and can often be found deep in the garden, covered in soil and singing to her plants. As a self–proclaimed ‘plant whisperer‘, Caroline believes that plants need love and attention just like any other living thing, and she loves to give them both. When she‘s not tending to her garden, you can often find her researching the latest gardening trends, or teaching others how to make their gardens thrive
