Planting Peonies in Spring: Don't Wait Until Fall

Fall Is Ideal, But Spring Works Fine

Fall planting lets peonies establish roots without summer heat stress, but spring-planted peonies grow well with attentive watering. The key: get them in the ground now.

Storing Tubers Risks Deterioration

Holding peony tubers until fall almost guarantees root damage and poor viability. Plant them immediately in well-prepared soil with the eyes no deeper than 1–2 inches.

Summer Care for Spring-Planted Peonies

Water deeply during dry spells, mulch to conserve moisture, and avoid fertilizing the first year. They may not bloom heavily until year two, but they'll catch up quickly.