When Are Peonies in Season? Here's When to Expect Beautiful Blooms

The first appearance of peonies feels like a sign that summer is nearly here. The growing season for peonies depends on your location, but in the northern U.S., the first blooms tend to appear in May and June. More southern states are lucky to spot peony blossoms even earlier.

While these flowers are beloved for their delicate appearance, the blooms themselves don’t always last the longest. Luckily, there are a few ways you can extend your peony season to maximize enjoyment.

Read more about the growing season for peonies and how to care for them in your yard or garden.

All About Peonies

Growing peonies is a joy for gardeners. You might not guess by simply looking at the flowers, but peony plants are known for being tough and hardy.

According to Megan Foster, a perennial and bulb expert for American Meadows, it’s not uncommon for people to have hundred-year-old plants. This is often a credit to their root masses, which Foster explains can grow large, deep, and dense so they’re able to withstand a range of weather conditions.

“Unlike many classic perennials, these beauties are perfectly fine with harsh winters,” she says. “That makes them cold-hardy enough for most of the lower forty-eight states—even parts of Alaska.”

How Long Do Peonies Bloom For?

Peonies can best be enjoyed in late spring, but the exact time of year depends on your USDA hardiness zone. In the northeastern part of the U.S., for example, this typically starts in May.

Regardless of when the blooms appear, they don’t last for long, so they’re best enjoyed as soon as you spot them. An individual peony plant won’t hold blooms for much time at all—a little over a week, according to Foster.

If you only have one plant, then this might feel like a brief moment of beauty, but Foster says peony lovers will often plan for this exact situation. Plant a collection of peony varieties whose bloom times are on the early side, the mid side, and the late side, Foster suggests. This allows for a maximum peony bloom season in your yard and vases.

Tip

You can find a suggested bloom time when you shop by comparing varieties and checking the packaging or asking your local garden center for advice.

5 Care Tips for Peonies

1. Watch for healthy leaves. If you’re shopping for a peony plant, Foster says the key here is to look at the leaves. Sometimes you’ll see stands of densely-planted peonies with some powdery mildew affecting the leaves. Avoid bringing these plants home, and work hard to keep the mildew at bay once planted.

2. Water the base of the plant. Keep your watering at the base of the plant and let the leaves stay dry. Peonies want good air circulation to dry out effectively after rains.

3. Choose your stem cuts carefully. Foster says florists know that there’s an art to selecting the right stems to cut so peony blooms can be enjoyed indoors—but luckily, she let us in on the secret.

4. Heed this florist's secret. Refrigerate stem cuttings with buds on them and remove them a few weeks later to unfurl in your vase with a fresh cut on the stem.

5. Pick the perfect growing spot. Because peonies are likely to live a long and healthy life, Foster says choosing the perfect spot is imperative. Aside from aesthetics and functionality, she also suggests picking with well-draining soil. 
   

6. Give your peony space. Keep the surrounding area free and clear. Because peonies take longer to flourish, Foster says it’s also imperative to pay attention to the surrounding plants. Other faster-growing plants too near it may shade it out.
   

Read Next: 10 Foolproof Perennial Plants for the Northeast U.S.

Read the original article on The Spruce.