Well, you might want to mix some organic matter in to your sandy soil just on general principle, but you can give it a shot. Peonies like full sun. The flowers will sometimes fade quicker if it's exceptionally hot at the time of blooming, but full sun to partial full sun is fine. You might want to check the requirements for digitalis, I think it wants to be in a more shady area. Have fun!

Diann
IA Z5a

I have clay soil, but some of my peonies are growing and blooming very well in some shade. You might find the answer to your questions (and other questions you haven't yet asked!) on this peony FAQ page. It was prepared by a peony vendor in Canada.

Here is a link that might be useful: Peony FAQ

The only possible problem I can see is the sandy soil will not provide enough nutrients and will require regular spring and fall fertilization. As Ticker Too suggests adding lots of compost dug in deep before planting will help the soil retain moisture as well as supplying nutrients. Compost breaks down and needs to be added around the peony plants(not ON them)yearly. Al

thanks all!

cailinriley posted an exelent site that has about all the answers one needs. Sandy soil is just fine for peonies. As suggested by others add some compost to help retain some moisture. One mentioned "Clay" soil and I have to comment on it. It is the most nutrious soil for peonies, only problem is it is not a well drained soil condition that peonies need, but if you add some compost to clay soil to make it drain, then you have the exelent peony growing media. This is covered in the site that cailinriley provided.

It seounds like you have a good site for the peonies but make sure to give them plenty of room (air space) so that they do not compete with the nepeta and foxgloves. Foxgloves will reseed since they are a biennial. Nepeta is a member of the mint family and you may want to put that in an area where it won't spread everywhere.

Thanks for pointing out the peony faq. It answered why my newly planted peony have not shown any sign of life....

I do have a question. I have clay soil, and to alleviate the poor drainage situation, I've made a sort of raised bed, but the depth is about 2-3 in. above the clay soil. The problem is the raised bed drains too well--it's dry within minutes after watering, even though I've mulched it. Beneath the soil in the raise bed, I have mixed the amendment and potting soil into the clay, hoping that the plants in the bed will send roots down into the clay...

Will the peony do ok under these conditions? Thanks in advance for your comments and advice.

Lil