How Deep Do You Plant Tree Peonies?

Tree peonies are beautiful and long-lived flowering shrubs that are prized for their stunning spring blooms. If you're considering planting tree peonies in your garden, you might be wondering how deep to plant them. In this article, we'll show you how to plant tree peonies and how deep they should be planted to ensure their success.

What Are Tree Peonies?

Tree peonies, or Paeonia suffruticosa, are a deciduous shrub that can grow up to six feet tall and six feet wide at maturity. They are known for their large, showy flowers that come in a variety of colors, including pink, white, purple, and red. Tree peonies are not true trees, but they have woody stems that remain intact throughout the year, making them a great choice for adding structure to your garden.

How to Plant Tree Peonies

The best time to plant tree peonies is in the fall when the weather is cool and the soil is moist. Here are the steps to follow:

Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Tree peonies prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.

Prepare the planting hole by digging a hole that is twice as wide and deep as the root ball of the tree peony.

Mix in some compost or aged manure with the soil you removed from the hole, and replace about one-third of the soil back into the hole.

Remove the tree peony from its container and place it in the planting hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the soil surface.

Fill in the hole with the rest of the soil, making sure to tamp it down firmly to eliminate any air pockets.

Water the tree peony thoroughly and add a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help conserve moisture.

How Deep to Plant Tree Peonies

When planting tree peonies, you should aim to plant them at the same depth as they were in their container. Avoid planting them too deep, as this can lead to poor growth and reduced flowering. If you're unsure how deep to plant your tree peony, look for the soil line on the stem of the plant. This is where the soil level should be when you plant it in the ground.

If you're planting a bare-root tree peony, you should bury it deep enough so that the eyes, which are the small pink or white buds on the roots, are covered with soil. This will help promote healthy growth.

Caring for Tree Peonies

Once you've planted your tree peony, there are a few things you'll need to do to keep it healthy and thriving:

Water the plant deeply once a week during the growing season, and more often during hot, dry weather. Avoid overhead watering, as this can encourage disease.

Fertilize the plant with a slow-release, all-purpose fertilizer in early spring or fall.

Prune the plant after it has finished flowering to remove any dead or damaged wood, and to maintain the shape of the shrub.

With the right care and attention, your tree peony will reward you with years of beautiful blooms.