How to lift and divide peonies. #gardenerben, by Ben Hamilton Anderson,Rose Expert / Plant Reviewer on YouTube. 10 min 44 s.
- Video length
- 10 min 44 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose a clump that has been in the ground for at least 3 to 5 years. Younger plants are not ready to split and will sulk.
Cut the stems back to about 10 cm above soil level. This makes the crown easier to see and handle.
Dig around the clump with a garden fork, working well outside the stems. Lift the whole root ball out and shake off loose soil.
Look for the fat pink or red buds, called eyes, on the woody tubers. These are next year's flowers, so do not knock them off.
Cut the clump into pieces with secateurs or a sharp knife. Keep 3 to 5 healthy eyes on each piece and a good chunk of tuber.
Replant each piece with the eyes no more than 2 to 3 cm below the soil surface. Deeper planting stops the peony flowering.
Firm the soil around the roots and water well. Space the pieces about 60 to 90 cm apart so they have room to grow.
Leave the new plants alone until spring. Water only if the weather is dry for long spells.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not divide peonies in late winter or spring, when the new shoots are already growing.
Planting too deep is the most common reason a divided peony fails to flower.
Keep at least three eyes on every piece, or the new plant may take years to bloom.
Wear gloves and use a sharp knife, since the woody tubers are tough to cut.
Questions
When is the best time to divide peonies?
Autumn is the time for peonies with thick woody tubers, once the clump is 3 to 5 years old. Most other herbaceous perennials are better left until late February or early March.
Why has my divided peony not flowered?
The eyes were probably planted too deep or damaged during the split. Lift it in autumn and reset the crown so the eyes sit just 2 to 3 cm under the soil.
Can I move a peony without dividing it?
Yes. Lift the whole clump with a fork and replant it at the same depth, keeping the eyes at the same level as before.
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.
