Nurseryman and peony grower Alec White talks about the problems that come up when you try to grow peonies and gives you three rules for how to do it right. Author: Rachel Funnell
With their lush, romantic blooms in shades of pink, red, white, yellow, and more, peonies are one of the most beloved flowers for gardens. Given their large flower size – up to 5 inches across! – proper sunlight is essential for peonies to bloom their very best. But do peonies really need full, direct sun? Or will they tolerate partial shade?
The answer is peonies do thrive best with ample sunlight Most varieties require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun per day to support prolific flowering Some kinds are more shade tolerant, but reduced sunlight usually means fewer blossoms. Let’s look at optimal sun requirements for different peony types and how to ensure your plants get sufficient light.
Sunlight Needs of Peonies
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Herbaceous Peonies – These classic garden peonies perform best with full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day Full sun all day long is ideal. Avoid planting in areas that get less than 4 hours of sun
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Tree Peonies – Tree peonies are among the most shade tolerant types. They need about 6 hours of sun but can adapt to partial shade conditions better than herbaceous varieties.
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Intersectional/Itoh Peonies – These unique herbaceous hybrids require full sun to bloom well, generally a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Where to Site Peonies for Optimal Sunlight
When choosing where to plant your peonies, consider these tips:
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Select a location with southern, eastern or western exposure to maximize sunlight hours.
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Check the light patterns throughout the seasons. An area shaded in summer may be sunnier in spring when peonies bloom.
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Position peonies at the edge or middle of beds and borders to prevent shading by other plants.
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Place low growing flowers and foliage around peonies to avoid excess shade.
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Prune back encroaching branches from nearby trees or shrubs.
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In hot climates, afternoon shade helps protect from intense summer sun.
Problems from Insufficient Sunlight
Peonies require strong sunlight to build the energy needed for their famously floriferous blooms. Too little sun can lead to:
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Reduced flowering with fewer, smaller blooms
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Leggy, weak growth habit as plants stretch for light
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Delayed bloom time due to slower bud development
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Increased disease susceptibility in weaker plants
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Shorter lifespan and vigor compared to peonies grown in ideal conditions
Caring for Peonies in Partial Shade
While peonies always prefer full sun, they can grow satisfactorily in partial shade. Follow these tips:
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Select more shade-tolerant tree peonies over herbaceous varieties
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Provide minimum 4 hours of direct morning sun daily if possible
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Open canopy by pruning nearby trees and shrubs
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Enrich soil with organic matter to stimulate growth
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Stake peonies in partial shade for support in flowering
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Monitor for diseases that attack plants weakened by insufficient light
Perfect Companion Plants for Peonies
To highlight your peonies while preventing them from becoming shaded, combine with shorter flowering partners like:
- Catmint
- Coral Bells
- Astilbe
- Salvia
- Daylilies
- Sedum
- Dianthus
- Lavender
- Ferns
- Moss Phlox
These bright companions will accent peonies beautifully while allowing them their required sun exposure.
For the most abundant flowers and strongest peony plants, provide a sunny planting site with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. But even in partial shade, certain varieties can still flourish with proper care. Ample sun truly illuminates these stars of the spring garden.
Nurseryman and peony grower Alec White of Primrose Hall Peonies explains why sumptuous peonies aren’t as difficult to grow as you might think. Follow his three rules for growing the perfect peony flower.
I’ve had a love affair with the peony for some time now: herbaceous, intersectional and tree peonies. I love how classic and beautiful they are, as well as the colors, the big flowers, and the wonderful smell. Every garden deserves peonies and every gardener should include them.
Alec White of Primrose Hall checks over the peony plants at the nursery. Photo: Primrose Hall
There are many who avoid growing peonies because of their relatively short flowering season. People may think there are more colorful and cost-effective plants, but peonies are the best when they’re in bloom.
A lot of gardeners also think that peonies are a difficult plant to grow. The peony flower is actually an excellent low maintenance plant, perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
The sheer size of the peony flower is incredible. A lot of the intersectional or Itoh peonies (a mix of herbaceous and tree peonies) have flowers the size of dinner plates. The colors range from white to yellow, pink to purple, and more. There are beautiful single, semi-double and double flowers.
Most peonies are fragrant, although some more so than others. As an example, Paeonia lactiflora ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ AGM is a beautiful double white flower with a cream center that smells so good. A favourite of mine is Paeonia lactiflora ‘Catharina Fontijn’. It has delicate blush flowers which produce a delightful yet intense perfume.
So the peony has scented, impressive and showy flowers. What else does this plant have to offer? Most people think peonies are fragile and hard to grow, but the truth is they are very hardy and easy to grow. For a few years, they’ll be fine in a good-sized pot, but in the end, they’ll be happier in the ground.
Some Itoh or intersectional peonies have flowers the size of dinner plates. Photo: Primrose Hall
What are the 3 rules for growing perfect peonies?
There are a few things you should keep in mind when growing peonies, but if you do them right, you’ll have years of trouble-free gardening and the most beautiful show of color and scent that only gets better with age.
Remember not to plant your peony too deeply. The tuberous roots must not be planted more than about 2. 5cm below the surface. They might have beautiful leaves if they are planted deeper, but they won’t flower. For example, ‘Bartzella’ AGM or ‘Julia Rose,’ which are intersectional peonies, have finely cut leaves that turn crimson red in the spring and fall. Many herbaceous or garden peonies have strong red stems and light green, soft leaves.
It’s likely that your peony isn’t flowering because it was planted too deeply or got buried when you mulched your borders as much as you thought you did. You only need to wait until fall to lift your peony and plant it again at the right depth. Be careful not to hurt the buds on the roots.
Plant your peony in a sunny position. Some peony varieties, like Paeonia lactiflora ‘White Wings, can handle some shade, but if your peony flower is in heavy shade, it won’t flower well.
Plant your peony in fertile, free-draining soil. Usually, these flowers don’t care too much about the soil. They do well in chalky or clay soils as long as they don’t stay soggy. They don’t like to sit in water in the winter.
As you can see, the rules really only apply to planting your peony. Once planted, your peony will be quite content to be left alone. In fact, if you have rich, fertile soil you probably don’t need to feed your peony.
If your soil is not so good, a balanced, general fertiliser such as Growmore applied in the spring should do the trick. It is also a good idea to cut back and remove the dead leaves in autumn to avoid peony wilt.
Anemoneflora peonies have a boss of petaloids in the centre of each flower. Photo: Primrose Hall
Do Peonies need full sun or shade?
FAQ
Can peonies grow in the shade?
Are peonies high maintenance?
What is the secret to growing peonies?
Do peonies need sun?
Peonies need quite a bit of sun to thrive. Some varieties will tolerate partial shade, but they need a lot of sunlight to produce their blooms. Plant them in a location where they’ll get at least 6 hours a day. Afternoon shade is fine for plants grown in the Lower South. Where should you not plant peonies?
Can peonies grow in shade?
While peonies always prefer full sunlight, it is possible to grow them successfully in partial shade. Here are some tips: Choose shade-tolerant varieties like tree peonies, which can adapt better than herbaceous types. Provide at least 4 hours of direct morning sunlight if possible. Prune surrounding trees and shrubs to open the canopy.
How do you care for a peony plant?
Select a location with a southern, eastern or western exposure. These areas get the most hours of direct sun. Plant peonies in full sun at the edge or middle of a flower bed or border. This prevents them from being shaded by neighboring plants. Incorporate short plants and groundcovers around peonies to prevent shading.
Do peonies need a shade cloth?
Peonies are no sunbathing champions; they need protection. A shade cloth can be your garden’s equivalent of a parasol, shielding your peony from the harsh midday sun. Timing is crucial; deploy these sun barriers during the hottest parts of the day.
Why do peonies grow so small?
Fewer blooms – Without enough sunlight, peony plants won’t get the fuel they need to produce as many flower buds. Smaller flowers – Blooms will be smaller and less developed without ample sunlight. Leggy growth – Too little sun causes peonies to stretch as they lean toward the light. This results in tall, weak stems.
How do I choose a planting spot for my peonies?
When choosing the planting spot for your peonies, here are some tips to ensure they’ll get sufficient sunlight: Select a location with a southern, eastern or western exposure. These areas get the most hours of direct sun. Plant peonies in full sun at the edge or middle of a flower bed or border.