Peonies are long-lived perennials that usually bloom profusely in May on stems as much as three feet tall. Most varieties have white, pink, coral or red flowers. >>>download photo
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	May is an important month for establishing your summer garden. For a lush display, gardening experts with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recommend performing these tasks: >>>read the article

by Jeffrey K. Webb

Native to China, but known by their Greek namesake, the herbaceous peonies (Paeonia) are long-lived perennials. They emerge in early spring as a dense thicket of dark red buds that slowly unfurl to stems as much as three feet tall.

Modern peonies are hybrids of three or more wild varieties. Valued for the healing properties of its roots and seeds, the peony spread to countries around the Mediterranean basin before recorded history. It received its name from the Greeks, who named it after Paeon, physician to the gods. The conquering Romans brought the peonies to England and Europe, and they later became popular in the flower garden when 17th century Dutch and English merchants brought back new varieties from China.

Each peony stem bears several buds that open in succession. Flowers range from singles to globe-shaped to full double blooms. These heavy-headed doubles need staking to prevent the stems from falling over when the blooms are full of water after a rain. Single peonies, especially the Japanese forms, have elegant, satiny petals around a prominent clump of golden stamens.

Peonies thrive where winters are cold. In the South, especially in the warmer parts of Zone 7 and all of Zone 8, peonies may not get cold enough in the winter to bloom well. In addition, the early-arriving heat and humidity shorten the flowering season and promote diseases of the flowers and foliage. Success with peonies in these warm regions depends upon choosing varieties that perform well in the region. Early-blooming or mid-season-blooming varieties perform better than late-blooming ones, and single- or Japanese-flower forms perform better than semi-double or doubles. Some newer varieties recommended for warmer areas include "Miss America," "Do Tell," "Coral Charm" and "Abalone Pearl."

Peonies have thick, woody tuberous roots that contain reserves of nutrients and water, making it possible for them to survive summer droughts with ease. The clumps are very long lived, persisting with neglect for many years. Sometimes all that’s left to mark an old home site are the clumps of iris, daffodils, and peonies blooming contentedly among the tall weeds and grasses. Eventually, the clumps may need to be dug and divided, but only at ten-year intervals or longer.

Peonies overwinter with their buds very near the soil surface, perhaps only half covered by soil. If the plants are set deeper than three-inches, or if mulch or soil is piled over the crown, these buds will survive but not bloom. Dig and lift these clumps, making sure that the fat buds along the stubby roots have no more than one or two inches of soil covering them.

All peonies like full sun, but are adaptable to a little shade for part of the day. They prefer a moderately fertile soil that is slightly alkaline and adequate water as they grow and bloom. They will thrive in relatively heavy clay soils. Give each plant a square yard of space to develop to its fullest. Site your peonies where they can develop into the shrub-sized plants they will become.

Peonies begin to bloom in late April, but in May and June the blooming can be extravagant. The upright or slightly arching stems provide a good, clean green in the perennial border all summer, usually turning a fine yellow or bronze in autumn.

As a cut flower, the peony lasts up to ten days if stems are cut just as the perfectly round, ball-like buds begin to show true color. When cut fully open, the flower lasts about five days. Peonies make easy, elegant flower arrangements because of their sweet fragrance, long stems, and lush blossoms.

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Submitted by Jeffrey K. Webb, a graduate student in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. Webb works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are located on Neyland Drive in Knoxville. They are free and open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.