They are very hardy, low maintaince, have attractive foliage, and are excellent cut flowers. The best time to plant or divide peonies is in the fall. Well-drained garden loam is required for good growth of peonies. Dig a hole twelve to eighteen inches deep and twelve inches wide. Allow four to five feet between clumps.
Peonies perform best if planted in full sun.
Low nitrogen fertilizers are recommended to prevent weak stemmed plants. Apply in early spring when the stems are two or three inches high. After a heavy frost, cut the stems down to three inches from the soil surface. Diseases include Botrytis Blight which is the most destructive. The blight occurs on the buds, flowers, foliage, and stems.