How do you plant Peony's in the Spring?

I've always really enjoyed Peony's since I was little. I bought some roots last week at Home Depot; and planted them along my the side of my garage. They have about two little red shoots starting on them already. I've been reading on how to care for them, but pretty much everything says to plant them in fall. Well, I missed the boat on that one, and I planted them last week. (I'm in Texas so the weather is already warm). Is there any chance that these will grow? Also, is there anything that I can do to encourage there growth. I don't expect them to bloom this year, but also don't want them to die. I planted 9 plants total. Anything information would be helpful. Thanks!

How do you plant Peony's in the Spring?
You plant them, covering them with no more than an inch of soil at first. They will settle some, and will gradually get more soil over their crowns from decaying compost, etc. Peonies planted too deeply will have wonderful foliage but never bloom.They need moist, well drained soil with lots of compost mixed in. Mulch the crown of the plant the first season to help the peony become better established. At the end of the season, after the peony has gone dormant, cut back the foliage to ground level. Once they are planted, they are good for about 50 years before they need to be dug up and divided.
Reply:http://www.americanpeonysociety.org/





This is an excellent site.....





Perennials are really forgiving about the planting time.....so I wouldn't worry.
Reply:Peonies can be panted in the spring or fall in many areas.


"Make sure to plant the top of the roots only one and one-half to two inches beneath the soil line. A common error is to plant them too deep, which means they won't bloom." Your peonies should t bloom if you didn't plant your peonies lower than that.


http://www.extension.umn.edu/info-u/plan...





Take a look at how these bare-root perennials were planted:


http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play...





"The crown of the plant should be only an inch or so beneath the surface of the soil."


http://www.aboutpeony.com/planting_peoni...





I planted some peonies in the spring last year, making sure that they weren't planted too deep, %26amp; they're doing all right. They grow slowly at first. They like a lot of sun.


This illustrates how well rotted manure or compost is added into the soil that was removed from the planting hole. Some people use both. If you didn't add compost or aged manure then, you can sprinkle a composted mulch over the area where the peony was planted now to give a boost.


http://www.buckcanyon.com/peony_care_pla...





Good luck! Hope this helps.
Reply:You have already done well. THEY'RE GROWING. Those red shoots are a good indication. You're right. They MAY not bloom this year but there could be two reasons.


1. Maybe they really wanted to be planted last fall.


2. Maybe they are planted too deeply.


Either way, you'll have some beautiful foliage. Next year you may think you've been infested with ants. The peonies need ants on their blossoms to help them open.





Good Growing


The Muse