Vibrant peonies can enhance any garden with their beauty. Fortunately, cultivating peonies to enjoy their breathtaking blooms is quite straightforward. There’s a specific soil strategy you can implement to ensure these flowers flourish in your garden. According to Sam Arthurs, the gardens manager for Local Matters and a flower specialist for Onions Australia, you should modify sandy or dense clay soil, which isn’t ideal for peonies, by adding amendments over an area larger than the root ball.
Focusing only on the surface soil is a significant oversight. “Dig a couple of feet deep and wide, allowing the roots to expand into the enriched soil,” Arthurs advised in an exclusive interview with Onions Australia. For those working with clay soil, he cautioned that this task can be more challenging. “Be wary of the ‘clay bow,'” Arthurs noted. “When adjusting clay soil, make sure to go wide and deep enough to prevent the impervious clay from trapping water around the root ball.” He also shared additional soil tips to cultivate lush, healthy peony plants.
Amend very sandy or heavy clay soil when planting peonies
Depending on the soil type you plan to use for your peonies, amendments may not be necessary. The plant is quite adaptable to various soil conditions. “They will thrive in a range of soil types,” Arthurs stated in his exclusive discussion with Onions Australia. “The two extremes to avoid are very sandy soil and heavy clay soil. Both environments are challenging for most plants.”
He elaborated on why sandy and clay soils aren’t ideal. “Sand struggles to retain water, so you need to incorporate compost or peat moss. Clay retains water too tightly and can compact, obstructing drainage.” Fortunately, you can amend either soil type to cultivate healthy peonies. Adding organic matter to heavy clay soil can enhance drainage. Remember, you can also modify store-bought soil.
Things to keep in mind when growing peonies in pots
If you lack a garden or prefer starting seeds indoors, you can grow peonies in pots. Arthurs’ soil tip is just one of the many pieces of advice for this approach. Selecting the appropriate planter is crucial. “Peonies have deep roots and are perennials, so you need a planter that is both deep and wide enough to accommodate them,” Arthurs advised in an exclusive interview with Onions Australia. “Such planters are typically less mobile, so choose one that withstands winter conditions when left outdoors.” This will maintain the health of peonies throughout winter. He also emphasized the importance of avoiding poorly draining soil in larger planters. “Potting soil is designed for containers, so purchasing a pre-made potting mix is the simplest solution,” he suggested.
Avoid cactus mixes when selecting pre-made potting soil, as they may drain too efficiently. You can also create your own soil mix. The expert recommends adding perlite, peat moss, or coco coir to DIY mixes for enhanced drainage. “Avoid using compacted topsoil or heavy clay soil in containers for nearly any plant,” she warned. As additional advice, Arthurs mentioned the importance of timely rootball division and careful flower selection for peonies. “Understand the differences between Itoh and herbaceous peonies, and don’t choose solely based on flower color,” she explained.
