Peonies won't grow

18 years ago

This is the 3rd year I've had my peonies and they simply won't grow. They will grow a few inches out of the ground, get lots of leaves and stays that way throughout the summer. They never get more than a few inches tall. What am I doing wrong?

Featured Answer

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

18 years ago

If I were you this fall I would dig them up. Set your plant aside and dig the bed down to 2 feet. Refill the bed with 50% compost and 50% your native soil. Replant your peonies keeping the buds for next years at the soil level. Be sure you can still see them when you are through. When you weed the bed in the spring add 2 inches of compost around your plants, NOT ON TOP OF THEM. Your peonies should grow up to 3 feet and bloom from then on. Al

Comments (6)

maifleur01
18 years ago
What did you plant and how deep? Where are they planted full sun, shade, dry slope, next to a swamp. Need more information to tell you what the problem is. From the shoulder thought is they are planted way way too deep.
jean001
18 years ago
For peonies, maximum planting depth is two inches.
Related Professionals
Palm Springs Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Edmond Landscape Contractors · Ashburn Landscape Contractors · Lynchburg Landscape Contractors · North Potomac Landscape Contractors · North Ridgeville Landscape Contractors · Plainview Landscape Contractors · Vadnais Heights Landscape Contractors · Dover Solar Energy Systems · Moreno Valley Solar Energy Systems · Irvington Solar Energy Systems · Arkansas City General Contractors · Centereach General Contractors · Fort Pierce General Contractors · West Whittier-Los Nietos General Contractors
cathey123
10 years ago
my peony bushes are over 100 years old. so far they have not shown any signs of coming up. several have started coming up they are also over 100 years old. what could be wrong ?
pembroke
10 years ago
Cathay: hard winter, If they came up before, they will again. Give them time. It looks like everything is running a little later than normal. Pembroke
bellarosa
10 years ago
great advice! i have over 50 peonies - if not more - and i always make sure not to plant them too deep, plant them in the Fall and also, make sure that they are planted in full sun. it's one of my favorite flowers - can you tell!