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 Planting Tree Peony
Space your plants at least 120cm (about 4 feet) apart. Tree peony roots grow 100cm to 150cm (about 3 to 5 feet) into the ground. When planting, the hole should be large and deep with ample room to accommodate all the roots. In general, the depth of the hole should be about 45cm (18 inches) deep and the opening 45cm (18 inches) in diameter. Build a soil cone to support the roots and make sure that the roots are fully extended. With one hand hold the plant and with the other hand fill the hole little by little using prepared soil, hand-pressing to remove any air pockets and to stabilize the plant. The correct planting depth is with the root collar the same level as or slightly below the earth surface. Firm the ground gently and water it thoroughly after filling the hole. It is very important to keep the ground warm. So, the new roots can develop even in late fall or in winter. In a warm climate, you mulch your new plant with leaves, pine straw, or such type of material. In cold climate, the whole plant needs to be covered for winter. The material needs to be 15cm (about 6 inches) over the top of the plant.
Herbaceous peonies can be planted any time in the fall before the ground is frozen. Peonies planted in spring, unless pot grown, sometimes fail because the root development does not keep pace with the growth. Space plants 100 to 120cm (about 3 to 4 feet) apart. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root system. A generous amount of compost or well-rotted animal manure is beneficial to peonies. It should be mixed well with soil. Place a layer of soil above the fertilized zone so those roots of the peonies do not come in contact with the manure. Plant peonies with the buds 5cm (2 inches) below the soil surface. Plants placed too deeply sometimes fail to bloom. Fill the hole with soil, tamp firmly and water thoroughly. Mulch your plants for the first winter. Remove mulch in next spring.
Under normal conditions (the annual precipitation is more than 24 inches), it is usually not necessary to water your peonies frequently, because peonies roots are exceptionally flourishing. However, for the first growing season when the new plant's roots have not yet fully developed, it should be watered during a long period without rainfall. Apply water very slowly and gently. Too much moisture is detrimental to the plant. You may lightly fertilize your plant two to three times annually with organic fertilizers such as compost, well-rotted manure and zymolytic cottonseed meal. The best time to fertilize peonies is the early spring or after blooming or before the winter. If the ground is dry, water it after fertilizing. Do not use fresh manure.
A three-year or older tree peony plant is usually capable of blooming the season after planting. Some varieties may take longer to bloom. Once they start to bloom, you will be rewarded each year with an abundance of beautiful flowers. The Chinese tree peonies can live more than a hundred years if you take well care of them. There are seven hundred years old tree peonies in China. Each of those can still produce two hundreds flowers every year.
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