A follow-up to my last cut 'n paste exercise re the care of peonie plants. This is about the tree variety. Happy reading

Tree Peony Care

Where should I plant my tree peony?

Tree peonies are extremely hardy and will survive almost anywhere, in both sun or shade. They prefer an airy, reasonably open situation as air movement around the plant helps prevent fungal diseases like peony wilt. However, avoid a completely exposed situation where flower petals could blow away quickly and shorten the life of the flowers.

These plants begin to grow very early in the year and young developing buds can be damaged by frost if exposed to early morning sunshine. Ideally, plant your tree peony where this can't happen, i.e. a north, south or west facing aspect.

Soil

Generally speaking tree peonies prefer a fertile yet well drained soil, large amounts of organic matter are not especially useful. They favour a neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Clay, chalk or sand is fine as long as they don't become too dry in the summer or very wet in the winter.

Receiving your Tree Peony

Containerised specimens are shipped all year round and can be kept in their pots as long as is necessary but take care that they don't dry out.

Bare root tree peonies will be sent when dormant, usually in early winter. Unpack straight away. If you are unable to plant for a few days, or even several weeks, gently place bare root tree peonies into a pot with some moist potting compost, soil or sand. Keep in a cool place such as a shed or porch, or under a large shrub.

Planting

Bare root tree peonies can be planted during winter and early spring but not if the soil is frozen. Containerised plants can be planted all the year round but if planted in late spring or summer, they will need to be watered regularly.

Dig a large planting hole, incorporating some bonemeal or a general fertiliser into the soil. Add a small amount of well rotted garden compost or manure if you wish. We do not recommend peat as a planting medium because of its acidity.

Plant bare rooted tree peonies deeply. If your plant is grafted (French, American and Japanese hybrids), the graft union should be at least 8cm below the soil. This will encourage the tree peony (scion) to make its own roots and basal shoots. Chinese varieties are propagated by division and don't have a graft union and deep planting encourages new growth from beneath the soil.

Pot grown, rootballed or containerised specimens of all types should be planted slightly deeper than the soil level in the pot.

Water well after planting and during the following summer.

Subsequent Cultivation

Usually a tree peony will grow away producing large handsome leaves and often some new shoots from the base. However, the main stem may not produce a shoot from the tip. Depending on the size of the plant you buy, flowering can happen any time from the first year to 4 years from planting.

Sometimes a newly planted tree peony will appear to make little growth, if any, in its first season but all its activity happens underground. Providing the foliage looks reasonably healthy, don't panic. This may just be a 'settling in' period. Occasionally the main stem may die back a little. Although this might be worrying, wait until the next spring when vigorous growth should resume from the lower part of the stem or even from below soil level.

If your plant is grafted (French, American and Japanese types), look out for suckers from the herbaceous rootstock and cut these off at ground level. The foliage is quite different from that of the grafted tree peony. Wait until you are sure these suckers are from the rootstock before removing them as your tree peony will also produce basal shoots and these are what you want.

Feeding

Tree peonies are heavy feeders but dislike large doses of fast acting nitrogenous fertilisers. They respond well to a generous, early autumn top dressing of blood, fish and bone, a slow release organic fertiliser. Its high potash content encourages flowers to develop. A light sprinkling of a general fertiliser such as Growmore can be applied in the spring if you wish.

Pruning

Tree peonies respond well to pruning. You should aim for a broad, multistemmed shrub of up to 120-150cms in height which will not need staking. Chinese and American types have a naturally branching habit and will need less regular pruning than the Japanese and French types.

In February, just as the growth buds are swelling, trim off all the dead wood. You will often find that the new shoots are coming from lower down the stem, leaving a small dead spur. Whole branches will sometimes die. These should be pruned back to a live bud, or to just above ground level.

With a young plant, only remove dead wood during the first two years to help get the plant established . Don't be tempted to prune. After this if your plant forms a good shape, no regular pruning is needed. However, if your plant has few stems and is poorly shaped, then prune hard. You may see buds at the base of the stem or shoots coming from below the soil. Prune back to these or down to 15cms or less from the ground. Even if you can't see any basal buds, adventitious ones will form.

The best time to prune is early spring, although this may mean that you sacrifice some flowers in the coming year. You can prune directly after flowering but regrowth is slower.

If you have, or inherit, an older tree peony which has never been pruned, it can be transformed and rejuvenated by applying this technique. It is best to prune just one main stem each year, cutting it down to about 15 cms. It takes courage to do this, but is usually successful.

Moving a Tree Peony

There's no need to worry about moving even a large, mature tree peony. Just move it during early autumn as you would any other woody deciduous shrub.Tree Peonies in PotsTree peonies can be grown successfully for several years in a large container (at least 30cms diameter) and make very fine pot plants. When planting, it is important to use a soil based compost such as John Innes No.3

Your plant should be grown outdoors during the summer, autumn and winter. In the spring, when the flower buds swell, you could move it into a cool conservatory to enjoy the blooms but be sure to return the plant outside when the flowers fall. Tree peonies must be outside in winter as cold temperatures are needed to form the flower buds.

Peony Wilt

Tree peonies rarely suffer problems from pests and are unpalatable to rabbits and deer. The only disease you are likely to encounter is peony wilt. This may appear in early spring, usually before flowering. There are no longer any chemicals with label recommendations for the control of fungal diseases on tree peonies. Good hygiene and cultural practices are the key to preventing and dealing with fungal attack. Maintain a good air flow around the tree peonies by not overcrowding them with other plants, particularly at ground level.

The fungal spores of peony wilt can overwinter on old foliage so it's important to pick up and burn old leaves in the autumn. With deep planting, good hygiene and regular observation, although peony wilt may appear occasionally, it rarely causes serious damage to a mature plant.

for all of those who were asking about care of their plants I have cut and pasted some information I found on a web site of a firm who specialise in these flowers. I have aslo included their web address for your information.

Peony care

Where should I plant my peony?Peonies are extremely hardy and adaptable plants. For preference plant in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. Your peony will grow best in full sun where it will produce the maximum number of blooms. You can expect fewer flowers in light shade but these will last longer. Single flowered varieties seem to do better in shade than doubles.Peonies will grow in most soils provided they are not too wet and are adequately drained. They do well on chalk and in fact prefer slightly alkaline conditions. If your soil is acidic include a handful or two of lime at planting.A heavier soil is preferable to a light one. If you have a light soil add some loam or well rotted organic matter if you can get hold of some. This will improve moisture retention.If your garden is at high altitude or in a very exposed and windy area, taller varieties will need staking.Receiving Your PeonyKelways send out peonies in the autumn and winter, as this is the best time to plant but they can be planted in early spring. Don't try to plant if your ground is frozen.You will have been sent a dry peony crown which has 3 or more white or pink buds. On unpacking, soak the crown in water for a couple of hours. This will replace any moisture lost in the post. Don't worry if you see a white fungal bloom on parts of the roots. This is quite normal.If you can't plant your peony for a few days or even a few weeks, bed it gently in a pot or tray of peat, sand or potting compost. Keep it moist and in a cold dark place and it will be fine.Pot grown peonies can be bought all year round and can be planted any time your soil is workable.PlantingTaking a little time to prepare the soil before planting will bring rewards. After all, your peony will probably remain in the same spot for many years. Dig a large hole at least 30 cms (12 ins) deep. Mix in some well rotted manure or compost and a handful of bonemeal or general fertiliser.The most important planting instruction is:AVOID PLANTING TOO DEEP.The top of the crown should be no more than 5 cms (2 ins) below the soil surface.Planting too deeply is the most common reason for a peony failing to flower.Containerised plants are already potted at the correct level, so be guided by this and plant to the same level. Don't worry if the compost falls away while you are planting.Firm the soil around the eyes of the peony. If you are planting a group of peonies allow about 75 cms (30 ins) between the plants. Flowering normally starts from the 2nd year after planting.Caring for Established PlantsPeonies will live for 50 years or more; although they can survive considerable neglect, they will reward any extra care you can give.In the autumn cut down the dead foliage at ground level and clear it away. Top dress with a handful of bonemeal or general fertiliser.If your soil is particularly heavy or sandy, mulch lightly with well rotted manure or compost. Take care, as excessive mulching may encourage fungal diseases. Avoid mulching on top of the crown or your plant may become too deeply buried. Mulch in a circle about 15-20 cms (6-9 ins) around the peony.If your soil is acidic, an occasional top dressing with lime will prove beneficial.Moving and DividingAlthough peonies seem to go on forever, they begin to lose vigour after 10 years and would benefit from being dug up and split. This is best done in the early autumn as the foliage dies down.The crown should be carefully lifted and the soil washed away to expose the eyes. Using a heavy knife or even a small pruning saw, remove any large pieces of dead, woody root and then cut the crown into pieces each containing about 3-5 eyes. These can be replanted, preferably in a fresh site.Pests and DiseasesPeonies are remarkably pest and disease tolerant. Generally rabbits don't touch them. Vigorous, well grown plants rarely need any treatment in the garden.The most common problems are fungal diseases. Botrytis or Peony Wilt can cause stems to rot and collapse, usually just before or after flowering. Cladosporium can cause brown blotches which turn black on the leaves from July onwards.Generally neither of these conditions will kill a peony. There are no longer any chemicals with label recommendations for the control of fungal diseases on peonies. Good hygiene and cultural practices are the key to preventing and dealing with any fungal attack. Maintain a good air flow around the peonies by not overcrowding them with other plants, particulary at ground level. If any stems collapse with Botrytis , or if any leaves become spotty, remove them immediately which will help prevent the spread of infection. In the autumn cut off all the foliage and dispose of to prevent reinfection the following spring.AntsAs the flower buds develop they exude a sweet and sticky sugary substance which often runs down the stem. This is a magnet to ants which often can be seen crawling all over the plants. Don't worry. They don't damage your peony.Growing Peonies in PotsYou can successfully grow and flower your peony in a pot or container provided a few simple rules are followed:-1. Choose a pot at least 30 cms (12 ins) in diameter and with adequate drainage holes at the base.2. Use a soil based compost such as John Innes No 3 or a mixture of peat or coir and loam. Peonies don't grow well in a soiless or loamless compost.3. Don't allow the compost to fluctuate continually from being too wet or too dry.If you follow these cultural instructions your peony should thrive. We hope that it will give you many years of pleasure

http://www.kelways.co.uk/acatalog/Care_of_your_Peony.html