Peonies not showing yet

Ilikeplants

One of my peonies is growing leaves while the other one, not a sign of life yet. Has it died? I’m going to pull all the succulents from around it in case it’s strangling it. Should it be showing some shoots by now? I have two different varieties 

nutcutlet

all mine are showing but it will depend on soil and weather conditions. I think they won't like other plants growing over them so removing is a good idea

JennyJ

Mine are just starting to show (and I have light soil which tends to promote early growth). It might need a bit longer but good idea to give it a bit of space. They don't like the crowns being buried too deep and something covering the ground on top of it might have a similar effect.

Fairygirl

Mine is only just growing in the last week or so. 
I'd remove the other plants too. If nothing else, they'll tend to hold moisture around the emerging shoots and crown, which isn't helpful. 

Ilikeplants

Thanks all, I’ve tried removing most of this sedum which I had put in various places as ground cover to try and keep the soil moist. Maybe not such a good hack after all if it’s going to smother too much. 

Ilikeplants

Nothing at the base yet. I’ll be disappointed to lose it.

Fairygirl

Has it been planted at a suitable level? They don't like soggy, heavy ground, and if it's a bit deep, both of those can affect it. 
Mine are planted slightly proud of the soil level, to mitigate the weather and clay soil here. 

Ilikeplants

No idea @Fairygirl - it flowered the last two years. As you can see nothing yet, and see the sedum I removed? Should I get rid of all sedum? 

Ilikeplants

Fairygirl

Are the black things a support of some kind? Are you sure they haven't gone through the roots and damaged them?
You should have the little bullet points of new growth showing by now. Have they been covered up? The ground looks very wet.
Peonies like nice free draining soil, and a good amount of sun. Soggy cold stuff isn't great for them. The common red one grows in almost anything, but not the fussier, cultivated varieties. 

Ilikeplants

Sorry the photo went sideways. The black things are the legs of a plant support but I’ll remove them in case. The soil is damp from sedum cover and recent rain. I think I covered the crown with last years cut up stalks hoping to protect it. I could dig it up to see if there’s any sign of life.I thought peonies liked shady spots