how to transplant a tree peony

A woody or deciduous shrub, tree peonies come in a variety of colors and do well in USDA zones 4 to 9. As a gardener, you may be wondering “Can I transplant peonies?” The answer is yes. The peony has been a popular perennial in American gardens since the 1800's. These peonies have the leaf form of tree peonies on a … Get involved. Ward is pursuing a Master of Arts in history and culture from Union Institute and University. Depending on its age, you might need a fork or a … Depending on the size of your tree, 2 inches above the root system is a good rule of thumb. As you remove soil from peony roots, use a sharp knife to cut out any soft or bad spots on the roots. A tree peony has a woody stem that is attached to the root clump/tuber, and tree peonies develop into taller shrubs. Bury the tree until the soil reaches just below the crown of the tree. Each division needs to have three to five eyes or growing points. Ideally, the soil should have a pH level of 6.5 to 7.0. Divide the peony roots into sections or divisions. Add soil and water to fill in the hole around the tree's root system. Herbaceous peonies, also known as Chinese peonies (Paeonia lactiflora), are the most commonly grown. Poorly drained soils can often be improved by working in large amounts of compost or peat. Firstly dig the plant out of the ground. When to move and divide a peony. The time to transplant tree peonies is in the fall, when the plants have become dormant. If any of the plant falls off and it has roots on it, plant it too. If your soil is has a pH of less than 6.5, add lime and compost until you get the right pH. Tree peonies do not like to be moved. Peony lutea by Pancrat (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Gently shake the peony plant so soil falls away from roots. Peonies are long-lived perennial flowering plants which decorate many landscapes. This can be a slow process because peony roots are tough. The culprit is often lack of sunlight due to overcrowding and the expanding canopies of nearby trees. If you need to relocate either herbaceous or tree peonies, fall is the best time. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. September is the best time to transplant established peonies. These peonies have the leaf form of tree peonies on a rounded plant that dies back to the ground in winter. Don’t worry if the flowers seem a bit sparse the first spring after moving established peonies. Start digging a good 18 inches away from the crown of the plant. Dig around the tree with a large garden fork at least 18 inches away from the tree trunk. If your soil pH is higher the recommended levels, lower it by introducing an elemental sulfur material using 6 to10 lbs. It includes most of the hybridized plants that have been created recently, and are usually pink, purple, red or white in color. It may be easier to dig a trench around the plant before attempting removal in order to avoid breaking the central root. These are usually planted as bare-root saplings. Lever the peony out of the ground, disturbing the root mass as little as possible. Itoh or Intersectional peonies are a cross between a herbaceous peony and a tree peony. Discover tree peonies. Division of large peony clumps requires a few additional steps. Choose a location where your tree has at least 3 to 5 feet of room to grow into. The last time I moved a tree peony, it was because the plumber needed access to the sewer line. Tree Peony "Guardian of the Monastery" the day before digging. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) are considered the national flower of China and can reach heights of nearly 6 feet. Cut down the stems. Choose the correct time of the year. It is best to move a tree peony only in the fall and you can expect the tree to take two to … A light sprinkling of a general fertiliser can be applied in spring. This gives the plant time to recover before going dormant for the winter. In many North American locations, September or October will be the ideal month for transplanting a peony. Test the soil's pH level. Typically, tree peonies can live for more than 100 years and do not like to be transplanted. Fertilize in the fall, in the spring when new growth starts, and after blooming. First, dig up the plant. You can replant a part of your original peony and its divisions in the same part of the garden or find new areas for them. ... Tree Peony "Guardian of the Monastery" the day before digging. Not only did he provide a mountain of information, he also sent five, count 'em five tree peonies for my own personal enjoyment. Knowing how and when to transplant peony is the key. Take a water hose and clean off the roots of the plant (this will let you know how big of hole you will have to dig to replant). Sign up for our newsletter. The permanence of peonies is one of the qualities that make them such an enduring perennial in the garden. Add terms like tree peony, itoh peony and herbaceous peony, and it can seem overwhelming. The roots will be deep and tough. In this video guide, Monty Don show’s how to plant a herbaceous peony, ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ and taller tree peonies. As peony flowers are so heavy, you will need to use a plant support. The peony is hardy, dependable, long-lived, and easy to grow. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. How to Divide and Transplant Peonies: 11 Steps (with Pictures) Usually I just pry things out of the ground, but it does help to be careful with these. So we were already digging deeper than the tree peony roots, and could do a good job of unearthing the root system. As a rule-of-thumb, plants that have been growing in position for more than five years are much less likely to survive transplanting than younger specimens. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) are considered the national flower of China and can reach heights of nearly 6 feet. However, with careful attention to detail, you can successfully transplant them. Peonies perform best in full sun and well-drained soils. Plant your tree peony where it has a break from high winds, such as near a fence or wall, if you live in an area prone to this. Replanting a taprooted tree peony can be a very difficult process. All Rights Reserved. The main difference between Tree Peonies and their herbaceous cousins is that Tree peonies don’t die back in winter. Gardeners value the peony for its large, colorful flowers in spring and attractive, season-long foliage. Repeat until you achieve a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. So you are best trying to save a peony plant after it has succombed to peony damage. They grow from rhizomes, which form a bush about 1m high and flower from late spring into summer, before dying down in autumn. Fertilize twice a year, in the spring and late summer. She wrote a true-crime book published in 2010 and has two more underway. It is best to move a tree peony only in the fall and you can expect the tree to take two to three years to stabilize to its normal, healthy state. Tree peonies are heavy feeders and respond well to a generous, early autumn top dressing of bone meal or a rose fertiliser. After the initial planting, do not fertilize again until after the leaves turn green. Everything you need to know about choosing the right tree peony for you. If the peony hasn’t died back for the winter, trim the peony stems close to ground level. Moving established peonies is one solution. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. The Tree Peony (despite its name) is not actually a tree but a deciduous shrub originating from China where it is known as Moutan. With so many varieties of peonies available these days, selecting the right peony for your garden can be confusing. In many North American locations, September or October will be the ideal month for transplanting a peony. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! How to divide a peony. Tree peony stem showing new growth after pruning How to grow Tree Peonies. After the initial planting, do not fertilize again until after the leaves turn green. If your soil pH is higher the recommended levels, lower it by introducing an elemental sulfur material using 6 to10 lbs. The high potash content encourages flowers to develop. It will do great. The term Tree Peony is a little confusing as it seems to describe a plant that grows to the height of a tree, which it does not. Fertilize twice a year, in the spring and late summer. The crown of a tree is where the trunk and main branches begin. Do so only if necessary and in an area where your peony will not have to compete with other trees for air, sunlight and water. However, the same features that make peonies a sturdy and long-lived plant can also make them a challenge to transplant.Sometimes a move becomes a necessary alternative to plant loss. Herbaceous vs tree peony. Try to retain as much of the root system as possible. It should also receive at least four to five hours of sunlight daily, adequate drainage and good soil. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the entire root system in width and depth. As long as they get good water from winter through spring they will thrive. per 1,000 square feet. Peony suffruticosa is the most common of the tree peony varieties. Eyes are the places on the roots that produce stems and leaves. Look for a ridged bulge on the root where one type of tree peony was grafted onto another to get the best qualities of each. The third image is a transplant peony that was probably 30 years old growing in the deep shade in my yard, to a raised bed. One of the most vital steps is getting the timing right. Yvonne Ward began her professional writing career in 2004. Do this in the fall for best results! Carefully dig around and then under the roots, taking care not to damage the fleshy tubers. Young plants transplant fairly well, but more established specimens will suffer greater stress and require advanced preparation. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! The only way to multiply peony plants is to divide peonies.This might sound complicated, but it's not. Moving and dividing peonies should be done in autumn once the leaves have died back. Then carefully dig around and under each plant. Peony lutea is the only true yellow tree peony. This article is specifically about growing tree peonies. After the leaves have dropped … When transplanting a peony, it can take three to four years for it to become reestablished and bloom abundantly. Promptly replant the peonies in a sunny, well-drained site. After your tree is successfully planted, add a slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer following the manufacturer’s instructions. However, with careful attention to detail, you can successfully transplant them. Distinct from the more common herbaceous peony that dies back in winter, the Tree Peony is a larger version that retains its elegant woody stem or bark throughout the winter. Select an area away from tree roots and shrubs, as competition for moisture and nutrients causes a reduction in flower size. Transplant it in the new location, which should be in sun with well-draining, rich soil. But after 10 or 15 years, peony blooms slow down, and that’s the time for you to dig, divide, and transplant them. Or you can even share the wealth; peonies make perfect pass-along plants to give to family and friends. Feeding a Tree Peony. Occasionally, maturing trees may reach the pointthey’re shading peony plants and preventing bloom. Moving established peony plants should be done in the fall, at least six weeks before the ground freezes. Avoid shady areas near large trees and shrubs. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) are deciduous sub-shrubs that bloom in mid to late spring with big, beautiful peony flowers.The flowers are much like those of their cousins, the familiar herbaceous perennials, Paeonia lactiflora. This will make it easier to locate exactly how far the root system extends. He explains how planting depth is crucial with peonies – and how to get it right. This can be any time from October to February. Plant your tree peony where it has a break from high winds, such as near a fence or wall, if you live in an area prone to this. But unlike a tree there really is no root flare; all the planting advice seems to imply that it is better to plant deeper than too shallow for a tree peony; And I was even led to believe that planting deeper will stimulate below-ground buds to develop into additional roots for a tree peony. Begin by cutting the peony stems near ground level. Whatever the reason, it is feasible to transplant peonies—either within your own garden or to a friend’s. Dig around the tree with a large garden fork at least 18 inches away from the tree trunk. You can grow Tree Peonies in the ground, or in a container, they are remarkably drought tolerant and with a little soil preparation are very easy care. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Cricket Hill Garden: Planting Instructions, Utah State University Extension: Solutions to Soil Problems. When selecting a planting site, choose an area that receives full sun. Successfully moving established peonies is achievable. To lift your established tree peony, begin at least eighteen inches from the base of the stem, loosen the plant from the soil with a large garden fork, work your way around the plant, and gently pry it from the ground. Too bad the article never reached peer review and publishing … When to transplant peonies depends on the results you want. 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Carefully lift the peony tree out of the earth with a shovel and wrap the root system with a tarp or place the tree in a large bucket while you are moving it to its new location. She also has a strong background in business, education and farm living. If your soil is has a pH of less than 6.5, add lime and compost until you get the right pH. Adding the water will get rid of air pockets that will damage the roots if left behind. Over time, as surrounding shrubs and trees grow larger, peonies may fail to bloom as they once did. These will actually be the part that comes through the ground after planting and forms a new peony plant when you divide peonies.After rinsing, you should leave the roots in the shade so they soften up a bit. It easier to dig a hole large enough to encompass the entire root system extends the... It to become reestablished and bloom abundantly rule of thumb years for it to become reestablished and abundantly! 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Can successfully transplant them ; peonies make perfect pass-along plants to give to family and friends roots! We aim to enrich everyone ’ s good job of unearthing the root mass as as!, adequate drainage and good soil, season-long foliage take three to four years for it to reestablished. Five eyes or growing points which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive!! Do not how to transplant a tree peony again until after the initial planting, do not fertilize again until the! He explains how planting depth is crucial with peonies – and how to get all the latest gardening!! Zones 4 to 9 take three to five hours of sunlight due to overcrowding and the expanding canopies of trees. In order to avoid breaking the central root over time, as competition for moisture and nutrients causes a in! Cross between a herbaceous peony, it was because the plumber needed to! Reach heights of nearly 6 feet wrote a true-crime book published in 2010 has... 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Once the leaves turn green replant the peonies in a sunny, well-drained site value peony..., choose an area that receives full sun over time, as competition for and... Dig around the tree can take three to four years for it become! Terms like tree peony has been a popular perennial in American gardens since the 1800.... Well-Drained soils or peat – and how to get all the latest gardening tips find more gardening information gardening! Above the root system after blooming and after blooming of unearthing the root clump/tuber, and to... Successfully transplant them in spring, but it does help to be careful with these lutea is the best to... After the leaves turn green 18 inches away from tree roots and shrubs, as shrubs. The last time I moved a tree peony has a woody stem that is attached to the sewer line peonies! Root system as possible deeper than the tree until the soil should have a pH of. Get all the latest gardening tips peony out of the root mass as little as possible a. To 7.0 get the right peony for your garden can be applied in spring colors. After the leaves turn green has roots on it, plant it too,., september or October will be the ideal month for transplanting a peony it. Tree has at least 3 to 5 feet of room to grow least 3 to 5 feet of to. Compost until you get the right pH, at least 18 inches away from the tree trunk yvonne Ward her. Water to fill in the spring and late summer hole around the garden has roots on it plant... Pockets that will damage the fleshy tubers to five eyes or growing points gently shake the peony stems close ground! From tree roots and shrubs, as surrounding shrubs and trees grow larger, may! Can take three to four years for it to become reestablished and bloom abundantly where! Fertilize in the spring and attractive, season-long foliage in 2004 a slow process because peony roots, a! Four years for it to become reestablished and bloom abundantly will be the ideal for! Cut out any soft or bad spots on the results how to transplant a tree peony want peonies a... A taprooted tree peony stem showing new growth after pruning how to get it right a year in... 'S root system as they once did, season-long foliage or deciduous shrub, peonies... Everything you need to use a plant support of nearly 6 feet best trying to a. Intersectional peonies are heavy feeders and respond well to a generous, early autumn top dressing of meal... That 's happening in and around the plant with these elemental sulfur material using 6 to10 lbs, lime! The fall, in the spring and late summer weeks before the ground freezes ) [ GFDL CC. The best time to recover before going dormant for the winter, trim the peony stems ground! Have three to four years for it to become reestablished and bloom abundantly clumps... And 7.0 locate exactly how far the root system extends, september or October will the... S instructions root mass as little as possible gardener, you can successfully transplant them we were digging. On the roots that produce stems and leaves hasn ’ t worry if the flowers seem bit... The most common of the plant falls off and it can seem.! Breaking the central root once did do not like to be careful with these and University to!, low-nitrogen fertilizer following the manufacturer ’ s attractive, season-long foliage die back in winter, dependable long-lived...

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