FAQ

What can I expect when I order a bare root?

In the fall you will receive one division from a 2 year old plant and each division as 3-5 eyes.

What should I do when my box arrives?

Upon receiving your shipment, please open the box and inspect your peonies. Within 2 days of please report any discrepancies or damage to you roots. Each box also contains detailed planting instructions.

Where are your peonies grown?

We are located in the Willamette Valley near Salem, Oregon and your order will be filled with peonies grown in our fields.

I did not get any blooms this year on my plants, what can I do?

The most common issues for not getting blooms: the peony is planted to deeply, they are not receiving enough sunlight, over fertilized or fertilized with a general all-purpose fertilizer or the plants are too crowded without enough space.

Do peonies only bloom once a year?

Unfortunately, yes, they only bloom once a year but if you select peonies from each season, early, mid-season and late you’ll see peonies for a longer period.

Why is there such a wide range of prices on your peonies?

A brand-new introduction is going to be more expensive as it is a slow process to create a new peony, as well as rare and hard to find peonies will command a higher price point. As peonies become more readily available you will see the prices decrease over time.

How will my peonies be shipped?

We begin shipping September 15th, starting with the colder climates first. Each root will be tagged with the variety name, color, height, and season. The roots will be carefully packed in slightly moist peat moss and shipped via USPS or UPS.

Should I dig and divide my plants?

Peonies are not like other perennials that need to be dug and divided each year. They are happy to stay in the ground long term but if you would like to increase your collection or share your plant we recommend digging and dividing in the fall when the foliage has died back.

Do peonies need ants to open?

Ants are attracted to the sugary substance that peonies secrete when they are in tight bud form. They are not necessary for the peony to open, if the ants are a nuisance, you can either apply an ant block product to the base of your peony or give them a good shake before you bring them into the house.

I'm new to gardening, how hard are peonies to grow?

Peonies are easy to grow and require little care. They like to be fertilized once in the spring and again in the fall, ensure they are getting plenty of water especially in the summer heat and cutting down herbaceous and intersectional peonies and removing foliage in the fall. Other than that, peonies can live a very long time, they might even outlive you!

Do deer eat peonies?

Peonies are mostly deer resistant! Deer usually do not like them. They may try them, but typically don’t like them and will not usually come just for the peonies. Although as with us humans, different deer may have different tastes or may not have a lot of food options available so some deer may like them.

Where can I grow peonies?

Herbaceous and Intersectional Peonies are suitable for USDA zones 2-8 and Trees USDA zones 4-8.

They will need a dormancy period each winter to bloom and thrive. Peonies are not usually grown successfully south of Birmingham, Alabama or Monterey, California unless they are at a higher elevation that would provide the cold they would need. It’s best to determine what zone you are planting in before ordering by USDA Growing Zone lookup or local Master Gardeners / Extension Centers.