Getting color in your spring garden

My favorite flower is the Paeonia (pay-on-ee-ah) or commonly called the Peony. No garden would be complete without the large, silken blooms of peonies in late spring and early summer. Ever present in gardens but with good reason, peonies are among the longest-lived of perennials, widely adaptable, with flowers readily produce with little effort. Thousands of cultivars and hybrids are available, providing a wide range of flower forms and colors.

Growing Guide

Full-sun, partial shade in hotter climates. Humus-rich, moist but well drained soil. Important to set the eyes, or red sprouts, at the proper depth, about 1 inch below the soil line. Taller types may need staking. To prevent botrytis blight, cut off all stems and leaves in the fall. Peonies need a certain number of chilling hours to break dormancy, so in hotter areas select cultivars proven in these areas; also it's better to grow early to mid-season and single or Japanese flower forms in these areas. Use a winter mulch where needed to prevent heaving. Use fertilizer cautiously, as too much results in foliage rather than flowers.