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Planting out

BreatheBreathe Posts: 114

on receiving a peony through post the instructions were:' plant with the topmost bud at or just below surface' I can picture the whole pant underground at this rate! They just mean where the first green branch comes out from the base yes?image

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,097

    The paeony stems grow from  what looks like a little reddish bud emerging from the crown of the plant, Breathe. A bit like the new shoots emerging on hostas. Try and plant so that those are just showing and no more.

    If the plant's small,  put it in a pot and let it get settled and  organised for over winter. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BreatheBreathe Posts: 114

    Oh its arrived in a 7 litre pot I didn't spot anything like you mention- I'll have a closer inspection!

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,158

    If it's in a pot it should be planted at the right depth already. Plant it at the same level



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Agree with nut;  Almost anything which comes in a pot should be planted at the same level.  One of the few exceptions are clematis which are better planted a few inches deeper.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,097

    For some reason I thought you had a bareroot plant, Breathe.... image

    I must be losing the plot...image 

    Of course - if it's in a pot - plant as nut and Bob state  image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,158

    I assumed that as well Fairy. image



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • BreatheBreathe Posts: 114

    Right thank you- not complicated then,  phew!

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,097

    Sorry Breathe - I hope I haven't confused you! I made an assumption that the plant was dormant, and you couldn't see where the crown of the plant was in comparison to the roots. image

    Note to self - must try harder....image

    Have a look at it in spring when you see the new growth, and you'll see what I mean! image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • The advice above anything in a large pot should be planted at the same level is correct. Peonies need a little more care they are fussy Ladies but I love em. Plant the top of the plant at exactly the same level in the ground, do not get any extra soil or compost on the top of root ball, do not mulch over the root ball mulch around it  and water well in. They need a sunny spot sheltered from prevailing winds if possible, and it is better they get later sun rather than early morning. The plant will still have foliage let it die down naturally and I leave all my plants with the dry foliage over winter as a bit of a frost guard, you will see the little buds come through in Spring. The plant may take a year or so to flower after planting, I had one that did nothing for four years then a single flower now it blooms, you need patience as Peonies will tend to do their own thing but get there in the end my oldest plant is a mass of blooms every year now although it is thirty years old. A good mulch around though not touching the root ball cap in spring, clean off any old foliage then and water the mulch in, I mix a handful of granular fertiliser in the mulch for them all and it works well for me. Hope this helps.

    Frank.

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