Garden Week : Growing Peonies

 photo source unkown

 

It's Monday dolls!

 

This week I'm all about the garden. Since we are doing a backyard makeover, I decided to share some things that inspire me when it comes to my plans for my backyard.

 

Here is the progress so far.

My hubby tilled up all the dirt and we sprayed for weeds.

We then raked and raked and raked and shoveled dirt to get rid of all the dead weeds.

Then we raked even more and leveled out all of the ground and smoothed it out.

We hired men to pour our concrete patio.

After that my hubby built our gazebo.

I then decided where the flower beds would go and started boxing them out with redwood as you can see my progress here in the picture.

I actually dug little trenches so the redwood poles would sit lower in the ground.

Then my hubby laid the sod and I planted some trees and bushes.

 

 

 

We still have a long way to go but I'm noticing my taste in gardens is cottage inspired!

 

Nothing says "cottage garden" like peonies!

 

I have 12 peony bulbs that I am currently growing in pots and waiting to be transplanted into my flower beds.

 

 

Here are some tips for growing peonies!

 

Height: Peonies grow from two to four feet in height. Support is often required for tall, double hybrids. Peonies thrive in sunny locations and well-drained soils, tolerating a wide range of soil types.

 

Planting: Place the peony in the prepared hole so that the eyes (small, red-colored buds) are 1 to 2 inches below the soil's surface. Backfill and water well.

 

I actually planted my roots in well draining pots with potting soil. I then places then in direct sunlight and water lightly every day. Within the first 2 weeks the eyes shot up quickly and I now have a few stems with leaves on them. I then transplanted them into rich soil in the ground in a place that gets 6+ hours of sunlight.

 

Also, remember that peonies don't like to be drowned with water all the time and are drought tolerant.

 

I also planted mine in the spring but you can also plant in the fall.

 

Failure to bloom may be the result of any of these factors:

* planting too deeply
* immature plants
* excess nitrogen
* inadequate sunlight
* overcrowding
* phosphorus and/or potassium deficiency
* insect or disease problems
* competition from roots of nearby plants
* late freezes

 

 

SUPER IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WHEN PLANTING!!

A very sunny spot... 6+ hours a day

DO NOT plant too deeply. I planted my eyes 1 inch under soil.

Don't over water.

 

If you plant too deeply or in a shady spot they will not produce blooms.

 

 

Here is the Sarah Bernhardt peony that I planted in my backyard. I can't wait for mine to get this big.

photo source sunset.com