Plant a peony root with the eyes facing up and 1–2 inches below the surface of the soil. Any deeper and your peony may grow healthy leaves for years without ever giving you a bloom.
We get asked this question daily in the spring and fall, and it is the one step worth slowing down for. The stakes are high, but it doesn't need to be stressful. Here's the whole thing in five steps.
Step 1: Find the eyes
A peony root has "eyes," kind of like a potato. They're usually pink or white, and they stand out clearly against the brown of the root. Your root will typically have three to five of them. These are what grow into stems in the spring.
Step 2: Dig your hole
We're not planting this deep, so don't get carried away. A shallow hole that comfortably fits the size of the root is good enough.
Step 3: Place and bury the root
Set the root in the hole with the eyes facing up, and fill the hole so the eyes sit 1–2 inches below the surface. I think of it as "just below the surface." If you'd rather be certain, grab a tape measure — it takes ten seconds and it's the difference between blooms and no blooms.
Step 4: Mulch — lightly (Optional)
I have a mulch addiction, and mulch has real benefits. It also has one risk here. If you pile it on top, those eyes are suddenly sitting more than 2 inches under the surface, and you've undone your careful work. Lightly mulch around the crown and stop there.
Step 5: Relax
You've just done everything right. Keep in mind that a newly planted root may take one to three years to bloom, so if you don't see flowers the first spring, it doesn't mean you made a mistake. It means your peony is busy growing roots.
Now kick back and start thinking about which peony varieties you're going to plant next!
