How to make peony plant to produce more flowers, by Classy Flowers on YouTube. 7 min 9 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 9 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Peonies need at least 6 hours of direct sun. Move potted plants or trim back nearby branches that shade the plant.
Check the planting depth. The buds, or eyes, should sit 2.5 to 5 cm below the soil. If they are exposed, add 2 to 3 cm of compost and firm it.
Improve drainage if the soil stays wet. Add compost and plant in a raised spot rather than a low hollow where water collects.
Feed once in early spring with a low-nitrogen fertiliser. Too much nitrogen gives you lots of leaves and few flowers.
Water deeply about once a week in dry spells. Aim at the soil, not the leaves, and let the top layer dry slightly.
Deadhead faded flowers by cutting the stem just above a strong leaf. Leave the rest of the green foliage on the plant.
Leave healthy leaves in place until autumn. Cut the stems back to 5 to 10 cm after frost or when the leaves turn yellow and die.
Support tall stems with a peony ring or stakes before the buds open. This keeps heavy flowers upright and reduces stem breakage.
Divide crowded clumps in early autumn every 5 to 8 years. Replant the divisions with the eyes shallow and water them in.
Tips and common mistakes
Ants on peony buds are normal and do not cause poor flowering.
Do not cut green peony foliage straight after flowering, because the leaves feed next year's blooms.
Keep high-nitrogen lawn feed away from peony beds.
Wear gloves and clean your pruners before cutting stems to avoid spreading disease.
Questions
Why does my peony have lots of leaves but no flowers?
Usually too much shade, planting too deep, excess nitrogen or overcrowding is the cause. Correct one cause at a time and give the plant a full season to respond.
Can I cut peonies back after flowering?
Remove spent flowers only and leave healthy leaves until autumn. Cut the stems to 5 to 10 cm after frost or when the foliage yellows.
Will moving a peony stop it blooming?
It may take 2 years or more to settle after a move. Plant the eyes shallow, water it in and avoid digging around the roots.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
