Plant your peony root in the fall. Depending on where you live, that's late September to sometime in November, any time before the ground freezes.
Here's why the timing matters so much.
A bare root planted in fall has the whole winter underground to do its quiet work: settling in, growing fine feeder roots, getting anchored. By the time spring arrives, it isn't starting from scratch. It's ready.
Its often said:
- Fall is for planting
- Winter is for growing
- Spring is for blooming
- Summer is for planning
What about planting in the spring?
Spring is not the ideal time to put a bare root in the ground. A root planted in spring has to wake up and establish itself at the same time, without the head start of a winter underground. That usually means a slower first year and a longer wait for blooms.
There is one happy exception: a potted peony plant from your local garden center in spring. Those are often very healthy and already growing, and you can put one in the ground right away.
How late in the fall is too late?
Later than most people think. A peony root can go in as long as you can still work the soil. If a cold snap is on the way and you haven't decided on the perfect spot, plant it anyway. A root in the ground will always do better than a root in the garage.
With fall just around the corner, I've got my eyes on a few nice spots, and I've got my shovel ready.
