I agree, unless you just want some generic peonies. Even so, I think you should buy from specialists, because they send healthier roots that bloom sooner. I like Hollingsworth Peonies (because I met Mr. Hollingsworth--a very nice man--and toured his gardens) and Klehm's Songsparrow Farms (because everything they have sent me has bloomed first year). There are other good suppliers out there--I simply haven't bought from them...YET.

Lisa

I own a large certified organic peony farm in Warren, Vermont called Mountain Flower Farm.
We have experimented a lot over the years and can say that without a doubt the best way to receive peony plants is as fresh dug root divisions in the fall.
On a commercial scale, it is clearly evident that vigor, survival rates, and plant/flower quality are all greatly improved with this method.

Most nursery operations have Peony planted in pots. The plants do not like this and it shows.

I used to sell potted divisions and over the years have abandoned that completely and now only buy and sell fresh dug divisions.

Hope this info helps.

Last week I was at a specialise hosta/peony/daylily grower (Les Jardins Osiris) and they used the services of an agronomist to find methods to grow everything in pots.

Whatever they are doing, works. Their potted peonies were simply awesome.

To buy from your local nursery depends on your local nursery. I see the the OP lives in WDC. To me the nursery/growers in the surrounding states are just as good to purchase from as a specialized grower from another state. Many of the growers allow you to see the plants in spring bloom but if you ask later in the season for the foliage condition. Most peony growers either have outside income, speaking, tours, retirement or must by necessity sell other plants.

For me Hollingsworth's and Banister Gardens are in town or driving distance therefore local. But I also know of two other peony growers one organic one not that sell peonies but do not have websites or do much advertizing. Always do a search of your state or area agriculture products to see what is available. Many fine small local nurseries will have plants that larger more well named nurseries do not carry. In fact some of the nurseries like Klehm's purchase these plants from the growers all over the country.