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Peonies give us a lavish sea of flowers in a unique blaze of colour. In order to integrate the romantic peonies perfectly into the design plan, the exact flowering time must be known. Since the diverse plant family has gifted us with perennials, shrubs, and intersectional hybrids, let's take a closer look. Read here when early, middle and late Paeonia bloom. Benefit from our tips on what to do if no buds or flowers want to appear.
Do peonies bloom in the first year?
We have high expectations for our freshly planted peonies when they first bloom. As if the floral treasures were aware that decades of lavish blooms awaited them, they rarely let themselves be persuaded to put on a flower dress in the first year. Strong young plants usually flower from the second spring after planting. Only in locations with mild winters do the longed-for buds sprout in the first spring and herald the first blossom spectacle.
Staggered flowering times at a glance
The peonies owe their name to their heyday, which extends around the high church festival. If the date May to June is too imprecise, take a look at the following overview, which intends a more precise categorization.
Early Varieties
- Mid-April to the second half of May, like the precious peony 'Claire de Lune'
Medium grades
- Mid-May to late May/early June, like the intersectional variety 'Bartzella'
late varieties
- June, such as Paeonia lactiflora 'Glory Hallelujah' or tree peony 'Fen He'
Of course, this staggering only applies if the weather cooperates. Under the influence of cold, wet weather and bad-tempered ice saints, the early varieties take their time until mid-May, so that most peonies then enter the garden stage in full bloom at the same time.
No bloom - what to do?
If there is no flowering - tips on causes and troubleshooting
Has the first and second spring after planting passed with no buds or flowers showing? Then it is time to investigate the causes of the dilemma. We have compiled the most common triggers for the refusal to flower for you here, supplemented with tips for rectifying the problem.
Incorrect planting depth
If a peony keeps its flowers under wraps, please take a look at the planting depth. In most cases, peonies do not bud because they are too deep in the ground. The lower eyes of herbaceous peonies should not be planted more than 3 cm into the ground. Intersectional hybrids favor a planting depth of 5 to 6 cm. Only the grafted shrub peonies have their grafting point about 10 cm below the surface.
Unsuitable location
You should not expect flowers from a peony in partially shaded to shaded areas. Only in a sunny to shaded location with nutrient-rich, humus-rich and well-drained soil does the rustic rose contribute its romantic abundance of flowers to the garden picture. Of course, the ideal light and soil conditions are of no use if neighboring plants are exerting root pressure on peonies. Therefore, give your peonies a space of at least one square meter.
frost damage
It takes a few years for Paeonia to develop sufficient winter hardiness. Until then, the overwintering buds lying in the ground are at risk of frost damage. While a layer of mulch is discouraged during the growing season, this is not the case during the winter period.
Protect your freshly planted cottage garden roses from frosty temperatures at least for the first 2 to 3 years from November to February with a layer of leaves and brushwood. The weather conditions determine when the winter protection is removed. By the beginning of March at the latest, the sleeping eyes should be able to guess the spring sun in order to drive out in time.
soil fatigue
No new peonies should be planted in the following 10 years where peonies have already staged their blossom magic. Peonies of all kinds are affected by the phenomenon of long-lasting soil fatigue. If you can diagnose this problem as the cause of a failure to flower, we recommend a change of location. Where this is not possible, a deep and wide-ranging soil replacement can be undertaken.
division and transplanting
The more undisturbed a peony remains, the more magnificently it develops from year to year. Unless you subject haricot roses to the stress of division or transplant them, you will look in vain for the picturesque blooms for 2 to 3 years.