At a glance

common name

peony or peony rose

botanic name

Paeonia lactiflora

plant type

herbaceous perennial

1m 1m

full sun to light shade, with protection from hot sun May late Oct–Dec (the colder the climate, the later they flower)

– if you have an open fire, sieve the ash and use some of that.”

Dominic Wong, a peony expert from the Southern Highlands of NSW (he owned Chinoiserie Garden at Mittagong for more than 20 years) also applies blood and bone at planting time, with added potash to supply nutrients slowly over a long period, as well as a specialty rose food. He fertilises in spring, after flowering and around Anzac Day. Both he and Nicky Barry, of Spring Hill Peony Farm in Victoria stress that overwatering peonies is fatal. The soil must always drain freely and not become waterlogged. All three experts emphasise that bare-rooted plants must not be planted too deeply or they’ll fail to flower.

“Place the tubers in the ground so that the eyes are just below the soil’s surface,” says Nicky. “Slightly raised is better than too deep.” Lesley explains that this lets the winter cold reach the buds, and Dominic agrees, saying that in slightly warmer climates such as his, planting should be very shallow. “The eyes should be just poking out from the ground,” he says.

He recommends summer mulching to keep the roots cool, and a position with protection from hot afternoon sun, which can scorch the petals. “In autumn, rake away the mulch so the soil can get as chilled as possible. In warm areas, you can try putting a bag of ice cubes directly on top of the crown for several nights in the coldest month to help initiate flowers.”

Dominic names the cultivar ‘Coral Charm’ as the only herbaceous peony to try in somewhat warmer climates. “Forget the rest,” he says.

At Kaydale, they control botrytis fungus by cutting off the dried autumn foliage and burning it in winter alongside the hilltop rows of plants. This also supplies extra potash. Home gardeners should remove all debris and, in spring, use an organic fungicide as soon as symptoms, such as grey mould on shoots, are visible.