This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. As with any planting, fall is the best time to move a peony. The seeds are inside the pods. Can I divide and transplant peonies in the spring? Peonies are entering their dormant state now, and going to bed for the winter in a soggy bed is an invitation to rot. If a peony is dead in the center or has stopped producing flowers, it’s time to divide it and transplant the divisions. Snip the pods off after they have bloomed and turned brown. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Peonies in partial shade need to be moved to a sunny location to improve flowering. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Simply dig up your plants and move them to your new location, making sure, however, that you've thoroughly enriched the soil in their new home with 10-10-10 and compost. The best time to transplant peonies is in September when they’re past their summer growth and entering winter dormancy. You can move peonies before your plants sprout and are still in the dormant phase in the spring. Doing this helps direct all the energy to the root systems. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Then, store them in a cool, dark place until you're ready to plant them. ", "My peonies have very few blossoms. From late August to late October, before the ground freezes. Transplant peonies to a sunny spot of the yard in the fall or early spring, by digging six inches to a foot around the roots of the plant. Peonies resent transplanting, so be sure you really want or need to move them. For peonies, fall is the ideal time to dig up the plants. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. I know they don't like to be transplanted. Peonies need full sun to get the energy to create those massive blooms. If a peony plant has been stomped on, will it come back in the spring? Begin by cutting the peony stems near ground level. Use a sharp spade to dig beneath the peony clump. Reply. ", https://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/perennials/how-to-transplant-peonies/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZGYU7-tErs#t=58s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dAZ5o1vKsg#t=58s, https://peony.mbgna.umich.edu/ask-the-experts/how-do-you-transplant-peony, https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1999/8-27-1999/transpeon.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5t0a9w8-5s#t=56s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5t0a9w8-5s#t=2m40s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5t0a9w8-5s#t=2m44s, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. August through the beginning of November is a safe period to transplant peonies. I found this video really helpful when it came to learning more about this process. Learn more... Peonies are easy-to-grow perennial plants with a long lifespan. Everything depends on the conditions prior to planting. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Divide-and-Transplant-Peonies-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Divide-and-Transplant-Peonies-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Divide-and-Transplant-Peonies-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1446837-v4-728px-Divide-and-Transplant-Peonies-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Mix it in 50/50 with the native soil. Why transplant peonies. The most important thing is the time of transplantation. You will say that herbaceous peonies can not be transplanted for 20 years, and tree-like ones - generally 70? The answer is yes, but there is an appropriate way of propagating peony plants that you … This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither sticky clay nor sandy gravel will yield a healthy peony, but the cure for both situations is the same: amending the soil with compost. Planting peony too deep results in poor bloom production. It is always a good practice to cut them all down at ground level in the fall months after the blooming/growing season. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Move them correctly. Then carefully dig around and under each plant. If you'd like to divide your peonies up and plant them in a different spot, make sure that spot has lots of sunlight and well-draining soil. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Are they having an overcrowding issue going on? Planting peonies. Dig planting holes large enough so … ", "I now know how to transplant peonies and when to do it.". How A Little Bit Of Glitter Can Go A Long Way! Peonies go dormant in late August to early September, depending on local climate. Their metabolism slows, causing growth and development to stop. Finally, you or a family member might be moving away, and you can't bear to leave behind an heirloom peony plant, that has become as necessary and dear as a family pet. After these directions it was easy! How and when can I transplant? Start digging a good 18 inches away from the crown of the plant. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Transplanting Fern Leaf Peonies The process of transplanting fern leaf peonies is simple but labor-intensive. I noticed it wasn't getting much sun, so with this info I, "I'm glad I asked about peonies, because I was about to dig up some of mine to give to a friend. Peonies should be grown in a reasonably rich, well-drained soil. Last Updated: September 15, 2019 If your peony plant only has 3-5 buds, it doesn’t need to be divided. First, dig up the plant. Avoid shady areas near large trees and shrubs. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Learn about the timing and steps required to complete a successful peony transplant. Use your shovel to fill in the hole, or use your hands to move the soil around the root ball. Spring transplanting also works fine as long as you wait until soil has warmed up a bit. Sometimes we need to find our plants a new home in our garden. Divided peony roots are not typically stored. Water well, but don't oversaturate the soil. old. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you want to avoid growth interruption, transplanting peonies in fall is best. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Will my peonies cross breed and produce different colors if I put them in the same flower bed? This is when the plant will be dormant, making it safer to move it to another spot. I need to transplant two peonies because they are overshadowed by junipers and not thriving. Water the plant really well the day before, as that makes it come out easier. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. When this happens, divide the roots and transplant the divisions in a sunny location. References Do not lift the plant by the stems; breakage will ensue. Try … Do I need to remove the whole plant? This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. I have a brand new peony, and it's been a very wet winter. If you bury them too deeply, they will never emerge and develop. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Peony root divisions should be transplanted as soon as possible. In the northeast, the best time is in mid-September. If you do everything right, then I would expect 20% - 30% blooming during the first year. By using our site, you agree to our. Use a shovel or spading fork to dig up the root system. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. To start transplanting peonies, begin digging around the outside edge of the clump, slowly working your shovel beneath the clump. If the rootball is too heavy to lift from its hole, gently wash away some of the soil from the roots. The peony is hardy, dependable, long-lived, and easy to grow. It's super important not to place the buds in the soil any deeper than 2 in (5.1 cm) when you go to replant them, or the peonies won't be able to create beautiful blooms in the spring. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Make sure to use loose soil and have the eyes of the root facing upwards. You can divide the clump into smaller pieces with at least three to five eyes per section. For the most part, transplanting peonies is a job that doesn’t usually need done for 10 to 15 years. How do I take care of peonies in the fall? However, the best solution, in this case, is to transplant peonies. In the fall, peonies are preparing for dormancy. If you plant them deeper, the peony will produce leaves but no blossoms. Can I split one and leave it in the ground and move the other half? These eye buds are next year's flowering stems. Severely stressed plants may not bloom again for several years and may be vulnerable to attack by fungal diseases or insect pests. Avoid transplanting peonies in the spring when they’re beginning to bloom. When spring arrives, look for emerging reddish-purple stems to let you know that your peony has settled into its new home. Can I transplant peonies in June or July? If you’re transplanting your peonies in the spring, don’t cut the foliage off. M. on Jun 5, 2017. Or, you've decided to add a gazebo or patio to your landscape, and a special peony stands in the way of progress. If it's April, and you're preparing for a move this month, weigh the possibility of plant damage or death against your desire to take the plant with you. Tamp the soil down and water well when you're finished. Water the peony plant with 1 inch of water one or two days before transplanting. Peony planting depth is a critical matter that will determine future blooming for decades. Aim to transplant the peonies in the fall. ", to move them, and they have thrived ever since! Helpful. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Peonies perform best in full sun and well-drained soils. Gardeners value the peony for its large, colorful flowers in spring and attractive, season-long foliage. If you have to pull on the root ball to get it out of the soil, the roots and soil aren’t loose enough yet for it to be safely removed.