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Peonies are among the most adaptable and longest lived perennials for Utah. They have a variety of flower forms and beautiful colors with attractive foliage that remains long after the flowers have faded. Peonies make an interesting accent along a shrub border, fence or wall or an informal hedge effect can be created if they are planted close together. Peonies can substitute for low growing shrubs in locations where snow is a problem, since the tops are removed in the fall. Peonies combine well with other perennial flowers by providing a season of color during late May and June. Adequate water and weed control are essential for peonies to grow well. Peonies thrive in any well-drained, good, rich garden soil in full sunlight. September is the best planting and dividing time for peonies in Utah. Tubers set in September usually become established before cold weather. Allow three to five healthy buds per tuber. Plant the tubers so no more than one inch of soil covers the top bud. Peonies set deeper than 2 inches grow excellent foliage but often fail to bloom. Divisions of old plants do not always flower the first year after planting. In fact, it removing the flower buds that appear the first year permits the plants to develop good root systems during the first year of growth. During the second year your plants may be permitted to flower. By the third and fourth years, the plants should give excellent blooms. Healthy roots in fertile soil may bloom for as long as 50 years. Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart. Closer spacing makes it necessary to reset your plants sooner. A 2 or 3-inch layer helps hold moisture and helps keep down the weeds. Cultivating more than 2 inches deep is likely to injure the shallow peony roots. Peonies are very heavy feeders. Apply two tablespoons of 16-18-8 fertilizer around each established plant in late fall or early spring. Keep commercial fertilizer and manure 12 inches away from the stems of the plant. Cut blooms for bouquets as soon as the outer petals unfold. Avoid removing large amounts of the leaves when picking flowers. Leaves should be left on the plant to manufacture food for the next season's growth and bloom. Place blooms in a container right after cutting. Snip the stems ½ inch shorter under water. This prevents air bubbles in the end of the stem and the blooms last longer. Varieties There are hundreds of peonies. Peonies are rated as to quality in most peony catalogs. Here are some popular choices. Double Flowered White & Blush -- Alma Hansen, Avalanche, Amelia Olson, Festiva Maxima, Elsa Sass. Light Pink -- Myrtle Gentry, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Therese, Doris Cooper. Medium to Dark Pink -- Queen of Hamburg, Sarah Bernhardt, Mons. Jules Elie, Mrs. Livingston Farrand. Red -- Karl Rosenfeld, Phillipe Rivoire, Kansas, Highlight, Longfellow, Felix Crousse. Single Flowered White -- Le Jour, Krinkled White, Hedgemaster. Pink -- Sea Shell, Helen. Red -- Arcturus, Kickapoo. Japanese Flowered White & Blush -- Plainsman, Isani-Gidui, Moon of Nippon. Pink -- Westerner, Tokio. Red -- Mrs. Wilder Bancroft, Charm, Mikado. Most local nurseries or garden centers offer quality peony plants for sale. Mail order companies may offer a wider selection than what your local supplier may be able to provide.
