Avoiding Floppy Peonies

Edward.francis

Hi everyone,

We have recently bought some peonies (Bowl of Beauty & Nice Gal) which seem to be doing well at the moment. I understand that we will need to support them as the flowers are heavy and cause the stems to droop. I’ve been looking online and I’m astounded at how much the peony fluted supports are. I’m minded to make something from canes and some rings. 

Can anyone recommend a cheap solution? If I can get hold of some cheap sectioned rings of different sizes I could lattice them onto the canes. I guess an alternative solution is to make the rings from willow or something similar. 

Any ideas or pointers would be great,

Many thanks,

Ed

K67

I suppose the frames aren't cheap but they last forever and can be left in place over winter if you want and look good 
There is a good selection here https://www.ukgardenproducts.co.uk/acatalog/herbaceous-plant-supports-p1.html

amancalledgeorge

I find grow through frames really effective in supporting herbaceous peonies, this kind of format: https://www.sarahraven.com/gardening-kit/plant-supports-structures-edging/round-grow-frame.htm can he had for much less elsewhere. 

Posy

Monty Don has a thing on Youtube showing how to make supports from 6mm steel rods. Cheap, easy and effective.

Lyn

I made those that Monty Don shows.  Staked the peony’s yesterday. ,  

Bijdezee

Thanks for remind g me, need to do mine 

micearguers

Some of my peonies are excessively heavy (inherited, don't know the type), not easily accessible and really need some sort of support guild master to make it all work. Last year I changed philosophy. When the peonies are in bud they are to me equally beautiful, so after enjoying all that I just used them as cut flowers. I had no faff with supports, and the plant and foliage itself looked all the better for it. On the one hand an admission of failure, on the other hand all the support frustration melted away and the garden experience was much more tranquil.

Devonian

Try this https://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/make-natural-plant-supports-clippings/

Just made mine using clippings from the apple tree - they're perfect (although admittedly quite long applewood clippings as it was horrifically overgrown. but nice and flexible)! 

Nanny Beach

They shoot up all of a sudden,we have small branches from pruning they look quite nice. I am in the "rusty metal" phase,we bought some of the metal stakes you get from builders merchants, like a mini shepherds crook,that hold up that orange plastic netting stuff that is put round building sites etc. I bought them cheaper on a VERY well known online market place,I do put string round them but you can't see it. The will last for ever

Edward.francis

Thanks everyone some great ideas there and I really do like Monty's solution - they look great. @Nanny Beach I have just purchased some metal stakes so hopefully I'll be able to conjure something up. Just need some metal rings now!