When do peonies bloom? How to grow peonies in spring?

Peony (scientific name: Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) is a perennial deciduous shrub belonging to the Ranunculaceae family and the genus Paeonia. The stem is up to 2 meters tall and the branches are short and thick. So when does the peony flower bloom? How to grow peonies in spring? Let's take a look at the introduction of Encyclopedia Knowledge Network below!

Contents of this article

1. When do peonies bloom?

2. How to grow peonies in spring

3. Growth habits of peony

When do peonies bloom?

Peonies usually bloom in April and May every year. Under normal circumstances, peonies only bloom once a year, and the flowering period is relatively short. There are certain differences in the flowering time of peonies in different regions. The temperature in the north is relatively low, and the peonies will bloom later, while the temperature in the south is relatively high, and the peonies will bloom earlier.

How to grow peonies in spring

During the planting process, the peony should not be sown too deep, 3 to 4 cm is appropriate, and the soil should be covered with soil level with the ground after sowing, which is commonly known as "the seeds should not be buried more than five centimeters deep" (5 cm). Then gently tamp the soil and water it thoroughly. In winter, cover it with straw, leaves or horse manure, or cover it with mulch to keep warm, retain moisture and prevent cold. After the peony sprouts and emerges from the ground the following year, the seedlings should be exposed to the ground. The weak ones only have one small leaf, while the strong ones can have 2 to 3 leaves. Inter-cultivation and weeding should be carried out in time.

Growth habits of peony

It likes warm, cool, dry and sunny environment. It likes sunlight, but also tolerates semi-shade, cold, drought and weak alkali. It avoids stagnant water, heat and direct sunlight. It is suitable for growing in loose, deep, fertile, high and dry, well-drained neutral sandy loam. It grows poorly in acidic or heavy clay soil.

Sufficient sunlight is beneficial to its growth, but it cannot tolerate the scorching sun in summer. Temperatures above 25°C will cause the plant to go dormant. The optimum temperature for flowering is 17-20°C, but it must be treated with a low temperature of 1-10°C for 2-3 months before flowering. It can tolerate a low temperature of -30°C at the lowest, but in the cold northern regions, appropriate cold prevention measures must be taken in winter to avoid frost damage. The high temperature and high humidity in the south are extremely unfavorable to the growth of peonies. Therefore, the cultivation of peonies in the south requires specific environmental conditions to enjoy the beautiful peony flowers.