Divide and Transplant Peonies
Peonies are easy-to-grow and hardy flowering perennial plants with a long lifespan. They do not require division and transplanting to continue flowering, like some perennials do. However, if they are overcrowding your garden, or you would like more peonies in another area of your yard, it is best to divide and transplant them in the fall.
Steps
- Cut the stems of the peonies down to ground level in September.
- Prepare your new planting area. It is best to prepare the soil for the new plant before digging the peonies out of the ground. Plant the newly-divided plants as quickly as possible so the roots do not have time to dry out.
- Choose an area that receives full sun. Although peonies can survive in partial shade, they do best in areas that receive at least six hours of direct sun daily.
- Till the soil and enrich it with peat moss or compost if necessary. Peonies prefer well-drained, rich soil.
- Dig around and under the plant cluster to remove as much of its extensive root base as possible.
- Shake the plant gently to remove any loose soil. This will give you a better look at the roots. You must be able to see the buds (eyes) at the top of the root structure. Rinse the roots off with the garden hose.
- Cut the plant cluster into smaller pieces using a sharp knife. Make sure that each new division has at least three buds and an adequate root system.
- Dig a hole for the new plant that is slightly larger than the plant's root system.
- Put the peony in the hole at a depth that places the buds 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) below ground level. If the buds are more than 2 inches (5 cm) below the soil, remove the plant and add soil to the hole. Peonies planted to a greater depth may fail to flower.
- Fill the hole the rest of the way with soil. Tamp the soil down to firm it.
- Water the peonies well. Keep them well-watered for several weeks while the new plants grow their root base.
- Mulch the area around and over the plant with 3 to 5 inches (7 to 12 cm) of straw or another organic mulch. The layer of mulch helps protect the soil from thawing and re-freezing during the winter months, which could kill the plant.
- Remove the mulch in early spring before new growth begins.
Tips
- Sometimes peonies will do great in a particular spot for many years and then suddenly stop flowering. When this happens, dig the plant up and transplant it in another area to revitalize and rejuvenate it. You can divide the plant at the same time or transplant it in its entirety.
- Newly-transplanted peonies may not flower for the first 1 to 2 years. Some gardeners believe that if they do flower the first year after transplanting, you should remove and discard the flower buds to help the plant to produce more flowers in subsequent years.
Warnings
- Peonies can be divided and transplanted any time of the year; however, transplanting during the heat of summer causes the plant stress and decreases its chance of survival.
