When to plant Peonies in the UK

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
Plant out September to November.
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UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Plant Crowns Shallowly

    early September to early November UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant bare-root crowns around early September to early November 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

    early September to early August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Water well after planting, then keep the soil moist through the first growing season, from early September to early August. 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

    early April to late May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    From early April, 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

    late May to mid-July UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Deadhead fading blooms from late May to mid-July. Cut each spent flower back to a strong leaf. Leave the foliage in place to feed the root.

  5. 05

    Cut Back Herbaceous Growth

    early October to early November UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Cut the stems down only once the tops have yellowed and died, during early October to early November. 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.