Kathleen Gagan, a nationally recognized gardening expert, is the owner and founder of Peony’s Envy, a display garden in Bernardsville. She appreciates the laid-back vibe of established peonies because, unlike other crops, they are easy to maintain.
“Before starting my peony garden, I failed at a peach orchard because deer ate all the trees. Then I tried raising irises, with no luck,” she says. “Finally, I had success with peonies. Deer and rabbits don’t like them, and the established plants require little care. Everything you do for them comes back year after year because it’s a generous plant that gives back so much more than it takes.”
Peony’s Envy is open every day from the last Friday in April to the second Sunday in June.
Here are 10 tips from Peony’s Envy for growing the bloom:
1. Perfectly prep by mixing soil with one-third organic compost and worm castings for a rich mud-pie consistency.
2. Properly plant by digging a hole 12 inches deep by 12 inches wide.
3. Never, ever mulch. Peonies prefer to be well drained, and mulch holds moisture.
4. Choose sunny spots. Some varieties tolerate partial shade; most enjoy six-plus hours of sun.
5 In fall, cut to the ground to prevent disease. In March, blow out any debris.
6. Harvest about half of your crop to enjoy indoors. Display in every room!
7. Cut flowers before they bloom, while buds are still closed and just beginning to color. (Doing so means fewer ants on your dining room table.)
8. Treat cut peonies to cooler indoor temperatures and fresh water every couple of days.
9. Don’t select peonies based solely on pretty catalog images. Plant a combo of early, mid-season and late varieties to enjoy an extended growing season.
10. Don’t be disappointed if first-season growth is unimpressive. It can take three springs, because rooting occurs the first year, shoots form the second year, and flowers burst forth the third year.
