Peonies in Barnhill
Paeonia spp.
Hardy perennial for a sheltered UK border in fertile, free-draining soil. Plant crowns shallowly, keep the site undisturbed, and expect the best flowering once plants have settled in for a few years.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Peony
Planting Calendar
Plant Crowns Shallowly
24 May – 20 MarPlant around 24th May - 20th March in fertile, free-draining soil with the buds no more than below the surface. Peonies hate being moved, so choose a permanent spot and firm the soil gently after planting.
Water In and Establish
21 Oct – 18 FebWater thoroughly straight after planting, then keep the soil evenly moist through 21st October - 18th February while roots settle. Water at the base in dry spells, but avoid soggy soil.
Support Heavy Stems
13 May – 27 JunFrom 13th May, put supports in early as growth rises so the stems come through them cleanly. Ring supports or discreet canes work well, and it is easier than trying to prop up a full plant later.
Enjoy and Deadhead
13 May – 21 OctDeadhead fading blooms during 13th May - 21st October to keep the plant tidy. Cut each spent flower back to a strong leaf joint, but leave the foliage in place to feed the root for next year.
Cut Back Herbaceous Growth
7 Oct – 20 NovAfter the foliage yellows and dies back, cut the stems down during 7th October - 20th November. Clear away fallen leaves and old stems so the border stays tidy and less attractive to mould.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Peony.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Peony to consider
Sarah Bernhardt
A classic double pink peony with large, scented blooms and a reliable garden habit.
Bowl of Beauty
An anemone-flowered type with pink outer petals and a creamy centre, often good for cutting.
Duchesse de Nemours
A well-known white double peony with strong stems and a good scent.
Karl Rosenfield
A deep red double peony that flowers well in a sunny border.
Related Plants
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Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.
Also in nearby towns
See how Peony timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.