Did you know you can divide your peony plants?

This is what their tuber roots look like! 

There are not many reasons for dividing or transplanting peonies! Usually if a peony is happy and blooming well, leave it alone!

It’s important to know that dividing peonies involves a trade-off—peonies don’t like being transplanted, so you will probably lose out on blooms for a year. Peonies can be left undisturbed in the garden for 50 or more years.

Watch Victoria demonstrate dividing this peony because over time, the garden has grown more shaded and the peony will be much happier in full sun. 

There are also a couple of invasive weed trees sprouted up in the middle of the peony and dividing and transplanting will be a good opportunity to extract those!

Here are the steps to dividing your peony:

Step 1. Cut back the foliage. 

Step 2. Dig around the plant and pry up its root ball. 

Step 3. Use a sharp knife or clippers to separate the tuber roots. 

Step 4. Inspect for rot or damage and cut off any soft sections. 

Step 5. Plant your divided section with the green stems sticking out of the ground and the tuber roots 2” below the surface—not too deep. 

The best time to divide or transplant peonies is September, so if you do need to move a peony, now’s the time!

Our next in-person class is:
Fall Bulb Planting with Victoria
Sunday, September 29, 2024
10am
$5 Pre-registration call 845-568-9007.

A hands-on gardening event where participants learn the art of planting bulbs that will bloom in the spring. Guided by garden designer, Victoria Coyne, attendees will discover tips and techniques for selecting, planting, and caring for a variety of fall bulbs to create stunning garden displays.