How to Grow Peonies: Planting, Care & Beautiful Varieties to Try
It is Peony month at Oxford Garden Centre, and we are celebrating one of the most beautiful flowering plants you can grow in your garden. Revered for their large, showy blooms and character, peonies bring colour, elegance and a sense of occasion to any garden.
This May at Oxford Garden Centre, we have a lovely selection of no less than 14 Perennial Peonies and Itoh Peonies, with varieties available in store from just £14.99. Visit us to see our colourful displays, choose your favourites and get advice on planting, positioning and caring for your peonies form our expert team.
Why We Love Peonies
Peonies are British garden classics for good reason. Their large blooms make a big impact in late spring and early summer, and once well established, they can thrive with minimal care for many years. Peony colours include soft pink, white, red, and yellow, with herbaceous, Itoh and tree varieties.
Peonies are ideal for gardeners who want something that feels special but is easy to grow. Planted correctly, and supported to protect their heavier blooms, peonies will continue to reward you for many years.
Peonies are perfect for adding a colourful cottage-garden feel to your planting. They thrive in sunny borders and can also be planted in large pots.
Perennial Peonies Available at Oxford Garden Centre
Our Perennial peonies are classic herbaceous peonies. These hardy perennials will die back each autumn before re-emerging in spring, producing beautiful flowers and fragrance in late spring and early summer.
Each of our Perennial Peony varieties is supplied in 3.5L pots and are priced from only £14.99 each.
Our current stocked varieties include:
- Dr Alexander Fleming – Large and fragrant vibrant pink flowers
- Lady Alexander Duff - Large, fragrant, ruffled light pink double flowers often with yellow centres.
- Sarah Bernhardt - Very large, fragrant, rose-pink flowers with silvery edges and ruffled inner petals.
- Karl Rosenfield – Large and fragrant with bold crimson-red flowers.
- Petticoat Flounce – Fragrant with light salmon-pink peals fading to cream at the base.
- Do Tell — Very pretty pale pink flowers with a large cream and dark pink centre, giving a lovely two-tone effect.
- Monsieur Martin Cahuzac - Large, deep red to crimson flowers, one of the darkest peonies.
- Fiona – Impressively large, lightly fragrant red flowers
- Tom Cat – Large, dark red to purple, fragrant flowers with lighter centres.
- Jacorma – Large pink flowers last well and tend to flower later in the season.
- Celebrity – Impressive tufted raspberry-pink flowers with large petals.
- Felix Crousse – Fragrant with deep pink to crimson flowers and ruffled petals.
With such a variety of colours, it is easy to find the perfect peonies for your garden. What not pop down and view our peony blooms?
Itoh Peonies Available at Oxford Garden Centre
Our Itoh Peonies are something a little more unusual. Also known as intersectional peonies, they are a cross between herbaceous peonies and tree peonies.
Itoh Peonies are prized for having large flowers, attractive foliage. These larger peony varieties grow well and are a great choice for gardeners who want really impressive blooms. Our Itoh Peonies are sold in larger 5.5L pots and are priced at only £31.99 each.
We currently have 2 stocked varieties:
- Orange Victory - Lightly scented orange or apricot-coloured flowers with red flares and yellow centres.
- Bartzella – Large and lightly fragrant, yellow flowers with a soft red coloured centre.
Itoh Peonies are a great choice for gardeners wanting a colourful statement plant for a sunny or partly shaded border. They can also be grown in large pots.
Jacky’s Peony Display Tip
For a beautiful container display, Jacky Horticultural Manager at Oxford Garden Centre, recommends pairing Dr Alexander Fleming and Sarah Bernhardt peonies together in a large plant pot with suitable supports.
“Two of my favourite peony varieties. They complement each other beautifully and create a wonderful display from late spring into early summer. Be sure to add plant support sticks or a frame to keep stems upright as the large flowers develop.”
This is a great tip from Jacky if you want a showpiece container for a patio, seating area or sunny garden spot.
Where to Plant Peonies in Your Garden
Peonies prefer a sunny or partly shaded position with fertile, free-draining soil. They do not like wet or waterlogged ground, and good drainage is important. Peonies can be grown in borders or are equally happy in pots.
If your soil is heavy, sandy or tired, improve the planting area with compost, soil improver or well-rotted farmyard manure before planting. This helps improve the structure of the soil and planting with a compost containing John Innes No.3 will help to give your peonies the best start. Peony flowers are heavy and stems benefit from supporting with plant stakes or a frame, both of which are available from Oxford Garden Centre.
Peonies require neutral to slightly alkaline soil, ideally this should be around pH 6.5 to 7.0. If you are unsure about your soil, our horticultural team will be happy to provide advice.
How to Plant Peonies
The most important thing to remember when planting peonies is not to plant them too deeply. For herbaceous and Itoh peonies, the root crown should be positioned no more than 2.5–5cm below the surface of the soil. Planting peonies are too deeply will encourage lush foliage, but plants will not flower properly.
When planting peonies in garden boarders, ensure the soil is fertile and well drained. Add soil improver or well-rotted manure if the soil is in poor condition. Dig a hole twice the size of the pot the plant is supplied in. Adding, a quality potting grit to the base will help drainage and help to protect the root from rot.
Position your peony in the centre of the hole, ensure the root ball is no more than 2.5 to 5cm below the surface. Surround with a good quality peat free compost such as our Westland Multi Purpose Peat Free Compost. Water thoroughly when first planted and keep well-watered throughout the first summer. A well-established peony can thrive for years with minimal care.
When planting peonies in pots, a large container of at least 50cm wide and 50cm deep is recommended. Ensure that the root crown is no more than 2.5 to 5cm below the surface (some experts advise planting pot grown peonies level with the surface). Add potting grit for drainage and backfill with quality peat free loam-based compost, again our Westland compost with added John Inness No.3. is perfect for planting peonies in pots. Water well when first planted and keep the soil moist but not wet throughout warm dry months. Add support stakes or a frame to support those lovely large blooms.
How to Care for Your Peonies
Once established, peonies require little maintenance and can thrive for many years. These tips from the Oxford Garden Centre horticultural team will give your peony the best start and keep it healthy:
- Plant in a sunny or partially shaded area (peonies require a minimum of 6 hours sunlight each day)
- Ensure the soil is free draining
- Do not plant too deeply to avoid loss of blooms
- Feed once annually with a slow-release, balanced feed such as Miracel-Gro All Purpose Continual Release plant food
- Add supports stakes or frames to protect stems and support heavy flowers
- Water during dry spells, and regularly while plants are establishing
- When planting in beds, it is advisable to leave 1m between peonies and other plants to allow for growth.
- If adding mulch to borders or pots, be careful not to cover the crown as this can cause root rot and affect blooms.
- Deadhead blooms through spring and summer, but do not cut back until autumn. Peonies require good foliage for health and storing energy to produce blooms the following year.
What to Buy with Your Peonies
To help your peonies establish well, Oxford Garden Centre stocks a range of suitable planting and care products.
For planting peonies pots and borders, Westland Multi-Purpose Peat Free Compost with John Innes is a good all-round choice and is available in 50L bags for £8.99 each or get 2 bags for only £16 with our great offer.
For more mature peonies and long-term container planting, our Westland John Innes No. 3 Mature Plant Peat Free Compost is a good choice and only also £4.99 each per bag.
If you are planting peonies in your borders, it is worthwhile improving the soil before planting. Westland Soil Improver in 50L bags and Westland Farmyard Manure in 50L bags will help to enrich and improve the soil structure.
Peony flowers can hare heavy, especially after rain, therefore adding support is recommended. We have Natural Bamboo Canes available from £3.99 for a pack of twenty 2ft canes, and Smart Garden Tree Ties from £1.49 per pack in various sizes. We also have a range of metal plant supports available in-store.
For container displays, Oxford Garden Centre also stocks a wide range of attractive larger pots and planters suitable for peonies. With terracotta, stone, and composite styles from leading brands Woodlodge and Apta, you are sure to find something to compliment your new peony - selected pots are currently available with up to 50% off while stocks last!
In need of garden tools? Browse our extensive range online or in store. We stock leading brands including Ames, Darlac, Gardman, Shire and Kent & Stowe, and we are currently running have a great 2 for £14 offer on selected Kent & Stowe hand tools.
Visit Oxford Garden Centre This May
Our peonies are available in store now while stocks last. Visit Oxford Garden Centre to see our range of peonies and spring plants in person, compare varieties, get expert advice and buy quality plants for your garden.
We also stock composts, soil improvers, plant supports, pots, tools and garden accessories at great prices, with many multi-buy offers. You can also explore our stunning 4 Seasons Feature Garden for inspiration and enjoy hot drinks and tempting light bites in our café during your visit.
Peony Frequently Asked Questions
Are peonies perennial plants?
Yes. Peonies, including Itoh peonies, are hardy perennial plants that will die back each autumn and return in spring. Once well-established, peonies can live for many years will little maintenance, making them a good choice for many UK gardens.
What is the difference between Perennial Peonies and Itoh Peonies?
Perennial Peonies are herbaceous plants while Itoh Peonies are intersectional hybrids created by crossing herbaceous peonies with tree peonies. Itoh Peonies generally feature larger flowers, often reaching 20-25cm, and blooms can be longer lasting.
When do peonies flower?
Peonies usually flower in late spring to early summer. The flowering season will depend on the variety and seasonal weather conditions.
Where should I plant peonies?
Peonies prefer to be planted in a sunny or partly shaded position. Soil should be fertile and free-draining with a pH of 6.5 to 7. They do not like wet or boggy ground.
How deep should I plant peonies?
Do not plant peonies too deeply. When planting herbaceous and Itoh peonies in borders and pots, the root crown should be positioned no more than 2.5–5cm below the soil surface. Experts also advise planting container-grown peonies at the same depth as they have been grown in the pot.
Do peonies need plant supports?
Yes. Peonies have large heavy flowers, particularly when wet. As such, they benefit from being supported with canes or metal support frames. This will blooms in wet and windy weather and is particularly important for taller varieties such as Sarah Bernhardt and the even larger flowers produced by Itoh varieties.
Can I grow peonies in pots?
Yes, peonies grow and live well pots, provided the container is large enough (minimum of 50cm by 50cm and larger for Itoh varieties) and it must be well drained. Use a good quality suitable compost, avoid planting too deeply, feed annually, and keep the plant watered during dry spells – soil should be kept moist but never wet.
Why don’t my peonies flower?
The most common reason why peonies do not flower is planting depth. The RHS advises that the root crown must be no more than 2.5 to 5cm below the soil. Planting deeper than this will often encourage strong foliage growth but poor or no blooms. Other reasons can be lack of sunlight (peonies require a minimum of 6 hours sunlight each day), bad weather, poor soil quality, and plant age. If you have problems with your peonies, speak to our horticultural team for advice.
Can I buy peonies at Oxford Garden Centre?
Yes. Oxford Garden Centre stocks both Perennial Peonies and Itoh Peonies, with perennial peonies from £14.99 and Itoh peonies priced at £31.99 each. We also stock a range of composts, supports and large pots to for your new plants. Concerned about transporting pots and plants? Do not worry, we offer free local delivery to all areas of Oxford with no annoying minimum order value restrictions. Ask a member of staff about our delivery service when you purchase in store.