How to keep potted peony in good shape for fall planting

10 years ago

I was in HD today and saw a potted Sarah Bernherdt with buds on for 17 bucks. I will be planting in the Fall, and that's when I should have been buying, but I saw it with multiple stems and buds, and thought I had read that it takes a few seasons for peonies to bloom, and this is the one I was going to get, so then I thought I would be okay if I ended up losing $17, though I would try to baby it in the pot in the meantime.

So, what should I do from now until Fall, when my bed will be ready for permanent planting? It's in a black pot, so I can slip it into a lighter colored pot if needed. Do I need to repot? Fertilize? Keep it in full sun, right?

Was it a bad buy at 2 gallon? (for future restraint) If it has that many shoots, it should have enough tuber/root mass inside, right, or maybe not? Of course it remains to be seen if I really got a Sarah B. Have to post a pic when it blooms.

Comments (5)

wannabegardnr
Original Author
10 years ago
Here's the full plant. I can't see an option to add multiple images, sorry.
KarenPA_6b
10 years ago
According to peonies sellers, they said it is best to plant the whole pot in soil until fall. When the peony plant goes dormant in the fall,then dig up the pot, remove the plant from the pot, and then plant it in its permanent location. They said that it is not good to disturb the roots when the plant is actively growing.
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wannabegardnr
Original Author
10 years ago
I overwintered a Hakonechola by planting the pot, and I can see that the pot remains wetter than the surrounding soil. I have clay. The grass is fine, but I think the peony won't like it. Will it work if I half plant the pot and then raise up mulch all around to the depth of the pot?
KarenPA_6b
10 years ago
I am sure it is fine. The purpose of the pot planting is not to disturb the roots during the growth phase and to keep the roots cool and not dry out especially if the pot is exposed to the sun.
wannabegardnr
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you so much, Kousa.