After planting, the soil around the plants should be thoroughly watered. If the planting is done in the fall, mulch the plants with two to three inches of an organic material. Straw, coarse sphagnum peat moss, shredded bark or wood chips are good organic mulches. When the plants start to grow in the spring and shoots reach four to six inches, it is time to fertilize the plants. One application of fertilizer per year is generally adequate to maintain good plant growth.
Peonies are easy to propagate.
If additional plants are desired or if the clump has become crowded, divide it. Dig the plant and separate the tubers. Make sure each has three to five buds. Any damaged tubers or those showing signs of disease should be removed and discarded. Then, plant the good tubers as you would new plants.