Are there any Peony Growers out there? They’re one of my favorite flowers for garden or landscape design. They take up a large area, they’re easy to grow, and multiply and get fuller every year. They also make for the perfect sharing flower. You can dig up the tubers and share them with your friends.
Peonies do tend to spread out and flop over and are need of some support system. There are cages that can be used to keep the flowers from drooping, but I choose something simple, cheap, and well hidden among the flowers so that they still look natural and beautiful.
Several years ago I started using cheap old knee high panty hoes. It used to be possible to get 10 for $1, but now I can’t. Prices are higher than ever for everything anyway. Any who they are disposable and always last for the whole season.
All I do is gather the plant up in my arms and tie one knee high around it. Voila it supports the blooms from dropping perfectly. Fixing it is so easy, and when the plant dies back at the end of the season, I just cut it back right under the panty hoe and throw it away. It couldn’t be easier.
I put my peonies in the vegetable garden, which means I also put vegetables in and around the flowers. By supporting them it gives the other plants more room to grow and have better access to sunlight.
Really, I don’t know anyone who wears knee-highs anymore. But if you do, keep them after they’ve been worn. You don’t have to spend any money to wash and use them again.
Right now I have dark pink, medium pink, light pink, and yellow peonies. All the pink tones are from my Grama Reds garden and the yellow are from a local nursery. I bought the yellow ones on sale at the end of the season because I thought they were marked wrong as yellow. But I still grabbed them because I thought I’d love them no matter what color they were. And guess what? They were labeled correctly, so now I have beautiful butter yellow peonies with petals that are ruffled on the edges.
Peonies are prized for their big, lush blooms and heavenly fragrance. But their heavy flower heads cause them to flop over and lay limp on the ground. Properly supporting peonies is essential for enjoying these beauties in full splendor. Here are the best methods for propping up peonies to keep them standing tall.
Why Peonies Need Support
Peonies produce large, dense flower heads on relatively slender stems The substantial weight of the bloom and lack of strong stem support causes peonies to bend, droop, and fall over.
Specific factors that cause peony flopping
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Massive flower size – up to 10 inches across!
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Weak. flexible stems unable to remain upright
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Shallow peony root depth provides little anchoring
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Lack of surrounding vegetation for stability
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Environmental factors like rain, wind and storms
Without support, peonies end up sprawling on the ground rather than displayed in all their glory.
Benefits of Propping Up Peonies
Properly supporting peonies provides several advantages:
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Presents flowers attractively for maximum visual impact
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Helps prevent damage to blooms and stems from flopping
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Allows air circulation to keep flowers healthy
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Deters pests like deer and rabbits from devouring blooms
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Can provide decorative element to garden design
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Makes peonies easier to admire and enjoy!
When to Install Peony Supports
Install supports in early spring when new growth first emerges. This prevents damage to the tender shoots.
Steps for proper timing:
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Monitor closely for new red-colored growth in spring
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Install supports when shoots are 4-6 inches tall
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Take care not to injure the delicate new stems
Supports can be removed in fall once foliage has died back.
Materials for Propping Up Peonies
There are many options for materials to make DIY peony supports:
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Metal wire or mesh – Offers durability and strength
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Bamboo – Natural looking yet sturdy
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Wood stakes or dowels – Affordable and often reusable
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Tomato cages – Readily available and adaptable
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Trellis panels – Provides structure and vertical support
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Twine or string – Simple ties to connect materials
Consider durability, cost, appearance and functionality when selecting support materials.
Methods for Propping Up Peonies
There are several techniques to provide support for peonies:
Staking
Use stakes to form a tepee or circular structure around plants. Connect stakes with twine or mesh at the top for stability. Best for smaller peonies.
Corralling
Push sturdy stakes around peony perimeter and connect with twine to “corral” plant. Provides flexible support. Use at least 4-6 stakes depending on peony size.
Caging
Surround peony with a wire or mesh cage. Use broad openings to allow air circulation. Ideal for larger, established plants.
Trellising
Position a trellis panel behind peonies and loosely tie stems to vertical supports. Promotes upright growth habit.
Ring Collars
Place rigid rings or collars over the peony’s emerging shoots. Use progressively taller rings as plants grow. Helpful for very heavy blooms.
Peony Support How-To’s
Wood Stake Tepee
Gather 6-8 wood stakes at least 3 feet long. Arrange in a circle around peony plant. Insert stakes 6+ inches into ground. Tie tops together with twine or wire.
Bamboo Corral
Space 4-6 bamboo stakes evenly around perimeter of peony. Push stakes 6+ inches into soil. Run twine around outside of stakes at top to “corral” plant.
Tomato Cage Method
Invert a tomato cage over the peony’s shoots in spring. Bend back cage arms to keepopen interior space. Stake cage to ground.
Trellis Panel
Lean a trellis panel against the back of peonies. As stems grow, gently tie to trellis cross-pieces with twine or soft ties.
Design Ideas for Supporting Peonies
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Incorporate peony cages as garden art by spray painting bright colors
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Use decorative wire or branches for natural, whimsical supports
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Allow non-flopping varieties like tree peonies to support heavier types
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Underplant shorter perennials near peonies to hide supports
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Combine peonies with shrubs like spirea for shared structural support
Support Tips for Healthy Peonies
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Give peonies plenty of space for air circulation
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Check supports frequently to prevent stem damage
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Loosen ties if they start constricting swelling stems
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Lift fallen blooms back into supports to prevent damage
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Remove spent flowers to reduce weight on plant
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Keep soil evenly moist to support large blooms
Enjoy Your Supported Peonies!
Don’t let peony flopping stop you from growing these fabulous flowers! Follow these tips for properly propping up peonies to keep them standing tall and on display. Employ creative approaches to make supports unobtrusive or part of the garden design. Most importantly, take time to appreciate the beautiful blooms your efforts have preserved. Happy propping!
6 Ways to Support Flopping Peonies
FAQ
How to support peonies from falling over?
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