Peony

Hi Bunny, I grew them many years ago when I lived in nth county Dublin on heavy  clay with a ph of 8.5 lots of flowers

Derek

Deep breath time I think. Plant it with lots of compost at the level it is in the pot. It may not flower this year, but stands a good chance. Mine are in clayey soil and OK, but not as far oop north. They really don't like being  moved or being in a pot so take a chance Bunny 

Feed regularly and cover with amulch in the autumn

I suppose it is not planted too deep in the pot? They like shallow planting.

Hi all, this post reminded me about my Peony problems.

I have 2 Peonies in my garden, one has been there for years & I think it flowered in the first year or two that I lived here but no sign of flowers since. It is under the shade of next doors overgrown Lilac tree. I havent really done anything to it or fed it as I didnt know what to do. Please can you advise? Secondly, I have another peony shoot up last year on the opposite side of the garden (not seen it before) amongst some st johns wort, under an 8ft oak tree (shortly to be removed). I did find a GW video on peonies but it doesnt really tell me much. I have some blood fish & bone and am going to feed this year. but please can you advise?

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/creative-projects/how-to-grow-peonies/235.html

Hi Dave.The usual reason that they don't flower is that they are planted too deep or have been mulched so that light does not get to the crown. They like fertile, moist soil and I should have thought that being under trees would mean that they did not get enough of either and you'll have to make it up to them with feeding and watering. They don't flower for long and although the flowers are gorgeous, I sometimes wonder if they are worth it. As with most other things, I'm probably wrong!!!

I'm no expert and sometimes wonder how I have the cheek to post on this forum, but I'm interested in flowering plants and have learnt a bit. Paeonies planted in full sun will flower earlier but in more shade will get fewer, longer-lasting flowers. They need some sun every day. They need a low-nitrogen, high potash fertiliser. they are supposed to be drought tolerant and can rot if they are too wet, but in my limited experience they do better if they are fairly well-watered. Otherwise there wouldn't be any in Wales!!