Peony Plants
Peonies bloom with huge, fluffy, fragrant flowers in many different forms and sizes, providing a symphony of colour in containers and borders alike. Choose from ruffled Chinese peonies, long lived Tree peonies and best-of-both-worlds Itoh peonies - our UK growers have selected the best of each kind. Dating back to China circa 1000BC, the peony has come to symbolise wealth, prosperity and good fortune so it’s no wonder they’re popular as gifts. These spectacular shrubs flower from late April to June, bridging the gap between spring bulbs and summer annuals with their timeless elegance.
Need help picking?Sort and filter
Hereford
Meet Jack
Perennials born in Herefordshire, blooming in your garden
Our perennials start life in the rolling Herefordshire hills, where Jack and his team trial over 250 new varieties each year to bring you the best performing and most sustainable plants in the UK. With over forty years of excellence, it’s no surprise that they’ve won the HTA Plant Grower of the Year award two years running.
Need help picking?
Peony FAQs
Where should I plant peonies in my garden?
Peonies thrive in well-drained soil and prefer to be in a spot with full sun or partial shade (at least 6 hours of sunlight per day).
How do I prepare the soil for planting peonies?
Peonies do best in fertile, well-drained soil, so if yours is a bit depleted or dried out, revamp it by mixing in some organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and provide nutrients. Avoid anywhere that suffers from waterlogging.
How far apart should I space peony plants?
Space your peony plants about 90 cm to 120 cm apart to allow for their mature size, prevent overcrowding and let the air circulate between them.
Do peonies need any special care?
Once established, you won’t have to do much for your peonies, as they’re pretty low maintenance. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry weather, but avoid overwatering as this can cause root rot. Give your plants a general purpose plant feed in spring before the new growth appears. For taller peony varieties, you might need to support them with stakes or hoops to stop them flopping over.
When do peonies bloom in the UK?
Peonies flower from late spring to early summer, usually in May and June in the UK, depending on the variety. The large buds are rather beautiful too, and create great anticipation before finally opening!
How do I deadhead peonies?
Deadheading faded flowers will encourage your peonies to put their energy into producing healthy growth rather than seed. Snip them off at the base of the flower as soon as they go over.
Should I divide peonies? If so, when?
It’s a good idea to divide your peonies every five to ten years, to prevent overcrowding and give them an energy reboot. The best time to do this is in autumn, after they’ve finished flowering and the foliage begins to die back. Dig up the clump, carefully separate the rhizomes, and replant each segment with the ‘eyes’ (where the new growth will start) facing upwards.
