Betty Howden, Stawell, Vic

How do I get my potted peony to flower? It gets morning sun and is dying down. I understand they don’t like to be disturbed.

Jennifer Stackhouse says

It is tricky to grow herbaceous peonies successfully in containers. Even in the soil, plants can take several years to flower, and they do best in full sun. Plant this peony in the garden during winter when it is dormant. Choose a sunny position, and enrich the soil before planting by digging in well-rotted manure. If this is not possible, plant into a large container (at least 40cm) filled with quality potting mix. Keep root disturbance to a minimum when transplanting, and position the root so the ‘eyes’ (points where it shoots) are covered by only a few centimetres of soil or potting mix. Place the container where it’s sunny in spring and early summer. Water regularly, and liquid feed while it is growing.