Dogs destroyed peonies...now what?

12 years ago

Hi, I'm new to peonies and I've barely dabbled with these beautiful plants, I have 3 that were nursery bought and they're fabulous. I've had my eye on an old tree Peony that was growing next to a 60 year old house across the street- the owner of the home told me that it was planted when the house was built. The plant was huge with 7- 9 inch pure white flowers. The house got a major facelift a few months ago and the owner (no one lives at the house) told me to take whatever plants I wanted as they popped up after the snow melted. Aside from breaking up a million or so 6 ft daylilly clumps, I dug up as much of the Peony as I could. I planted a large root section in my yard and within days, I had 12 stalks growing. This morning I found that my dogs (who never touch my plants) had dug up the entire root, chewed most of it up and basically left pieces of root and stem all over the yard.

I have no idea what to do with the remnants. Right now, all of the pieces that looked salvagable are soaking in water. There were several new eyes and lots of new roots growing from the main root, so it was getting settled nicely.

If I plant the roots "as is", is there a chance that I can get it to grow? I'm sure I won't see flowers for a year or so, but I would really like to save this guy.

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Comments (4)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
12 years ago
There is always a chance. As good a digger as you are, you should be ready for a little more work, for the chance. Did you figure what it was that attracted the dogs? I can not use blood meal, fish emulsion or bone meal here or the racoons will dig it up. Al
GeminiMuse78
Original Author
12 years ago
Haha, thanks Al, I think that's exactly what they were after, I mixed some blood meal and manure in the bottom of the hole. I think that as old as this plant is, it has probably been through it all in MT. So, I'm going to try and replant them where no nosey critters can get in. Thanks for the encouragement :-) I was so sad to think it was over.
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janet_lang20
3 years ago
After my young puppies pulled a newly purchased Shirley Temple root out of the ground I replanted in a large pot, but to no avail and the little scoundrels found it and pulled it right out. I caught them chewing on the root and I’m not sure any eye(s) is left. I am new to peonies and ordered this from an established gardening supplier. Any idea how to salvage this plant?
AlexUnder
3 years ago
Cut clean with sharp knife the top part of the root on this picture where they chew it, soak in water for 2 hours, plant the part with eyes under the soil ( do not know where you live, so no idea how deep - generally about 1-2 cm ) and straight part going 45 degrees angle , water it, put netting over the top and pray. In future put some barrier so the dog will not damage it.