This is not a very appropriate time to ship peonies. The right time is autumn, so the plants can be planted before frost sets in.
If your soil is frozen - plant in container (plastic pot) with soil and keep in cool place indoors untill weather permits to plant in your garden.
If your soil is not frozen - plant in soil asap
Be sure to order from specialized growers. For all plants these people know what is best for their product. We from Warmerdam Paeonia in The Netherlands only ship in Sept./Oct. when peonies have reached their dormancy stage and in this time the plants are allowed to settle on their new spot best - right before winter sets in.
Hope your plants will thrive!

Thanks for the advice. I have potted them and will wait for the ground to thaw. Is there a web site for Warmerdam Paeonia? I have several varieties I would still like to purchase.
Lara

Hi Lara,

Our web-address is: www.paeoniapassion.com
The English part is not completed yet, but will be before first flowering this spring.
You could check out the variety list in Dutch to see if your wanted items are there.
Have fun on our website.
Regards,
Ruud Warmerdam

Warmerdam Paeonia, The Netherlands

Another fine peony source is www.songsparrowfarm.com.

I bought some bareroot peonies here almost two months ago. Planted in pots some are over a foot tall now. This is normal here and they will be planted in the garden next fall when again dormant. Al