The peony is incomparably beautiful during its flowering period from spring to summer – with lush blooms all summer long. Here you will learn how to grow peonies and get the best peony blooms in your garden.

Peonies are perennials that come back every year and take your breath away. It may even be that the plants live longer than you do – some are known to have lived for at least 100 years.

Peonies also look particularly good in combination with bulbous flowers such as lilies. Because lilies are particularly well-suited as companion flowers for peonies. It is a flower that has particularly beautiful blooms and is therefore also sold particularly well as a cut flower.

There are many types of lilies, such as trumpet lilies and tiger lilies. They are usually quite large and perennial. Most lilies grow from a flower bulb, which in some species develops into a rhizome that bears small bulbs.

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When are peonies planted?

Plant peonies in the fall (before the first frost) and they have the best chance of blooming the following spring. Those planted in the spring may not bloom at all for the first two years.

Where can you buy lilies and peonies?

There are three types of peonies: herbaceous (shrub form), tree, and Itoh peonies (hybrid peonies). You can buy peonies for example at Blumenzwiebelnversand.de. You can also buy lilies there.

How tall do the plants get?

Herbaceous and Itoh varieties grow 30-90 cm tall, while a mature tree peony can reach 120 to 210 cm in height and 120 to 150 cm in width.

When is the peony flowering season?

The peony season begins with the appearance of shoots and leaves, but the actual flowering time is in late spring. In most places, peonies will bloom in April, May, or June.

You can expect tree peonies to bloom first (around Mother's Day), followed by the herbaceous species and then the hybrids. If you include all three types in the garden – herbaceous species and hybrids as well as tree peonies – you can enjoy the blooms for up to seven weeks.

What flower colors do peonies have?

The colors range from peony white to pink and red, to coral, maroon, and yellow. Many peony blooms change color as they open, so you should check them daily to spot these differences.

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How do I best care for peonies?

Location:

Most peonies love the sun. Tree peonies, however, prefer bright shade during the midday heat, which encourages the blooms to last for 10 to 14 days instead of fading quickly in full sun (in two to three days).

Choosing the right location for your peonies is crucial for their success. If the location is wrong, deep roots make transplanting mature plants difficult or impossible. Apart from plenty of sunlight and nutrient-rich soil, you should ensure they are planted in a place where you can enjoy their magnificent blooms.

Tip: Experts recommend planting them far away from large trees and shrubs, as they do not want root competition.

Soil type:

Some gardeners have success growing them in their native soil, but most experts recommend amending the soil with organic matter before planting. Proper soil preparation will ensure that you do not need to fertilize the peonies for the first few years. Make sure they have well-drained soil, as peonies do not cope well with waterlogged roots.

Here are some tips for improving the quality of your soil:

Grass varieties love potassium; a slow-release 5-10-10 fertilizer is a good choice.

They are heavy feeders and prefer alkaline soils, which may require the addition of garden lime or wood ash.

Additional trace elements (such as Azomite®) will inspire tree peonies to increase their bloom size, bud count, and total number of blooms, as well as intensify the flower color.

Pests and diseases:

Unfortunately, peonies are susceptible to Botrytis, a fungus that can cause young shoots to rot, cause unsightly spots on the leaves, and prevent the development of flower buds. Ensure sufficient air circulation around your plants to prevent fungal diseases.

Planting depth:

The depth at which you plant your peonies depends on the type and your climate.

Here are the ideal planting depths for each type:

Herbaceous: Position these with their “eyes” (next year's buds) 1.2 cm (in warmer zones) to 5 cm (in cooler zones) below the soil surface.

Tree: Plant these deeper than herbaceous types. Experts suggest digging a 60 cm deep and 30 cm wide hole (after the soil has been amended with organic matter). Position the graft union 10 to 15 cm below the soil surface so that the “nurse” peony rootstock will die off.

Hybrids: Plant them just below the soil surface, 1.2 cm deep in warm areas, 3.7 cm deep in cooler areas.

The combination of peonies and lilies as companion plants will bring you much joy and ensure that your garden will be equipped with many beautiful blooms for a long period of time. Use this fabulous flower combination for your individual flower landscapes.