When to plant Peonies in Edinburgh

Paeonia spp.

Peony
Peony · 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.

90 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Edinburgh · last frost ≈ 4 May

Plant out September to October. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Plant Crowns Shallowly

    1 Sept to 30 Oct

    Plant bare-root crowns around 1st September - 30th October in fertile, free-draining soil. Set the buds no more than below the surface. Space plants apart. Choose a permanent spot. Do not move them. Deeper planting is why they fail to flower.

  2. 02

    Water In and Establish

    1 Sept to 27 Jul 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Water well after planting, then keep the soil moist through the first growing season, from 1st September to 27th July 2027. Water at the base in dry spells. Do not leave the soil soggy. Established plants do not need routine watering.

  3. 03

    Support Heavy Stems

    4 Apr to 25 May 2027

    From 4th April 2027, put hoops or canes in before the stems reach . It is easier than propping up a full plant later. Leave the supports in through flowering.

  4. 04

    Deadhead Spent Blooms

    25 May to 18 Jul 2027

    Deadhead fading blooms from 25th May 2027 to 18th July 2027. Cut each spent flower back to a strong leaf. Leave the foliage in place to feed the root.

  5. 05

    Cut Back Herbaceous Growth

    2 Oct to 30 Oct 2027

    Cut the stems down only once the tops have yellowed and died, during 2nd October - 30th October 2027. Clear old stems and fallen leaves to reduce peony wilt.

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.

Peony guides by town

See how Peony timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.