Question about peonies?

My husband and I just bought a house this fall and there are TONS of peonies in the yard but they are all in one area. I want to keep them but would like to move them to different areas in my yard. How easy are they to transplant? Anything special I need to do with them? Also, can I divide them so I have even more? Thanks!

Question about peonies?
Get a good sharp shovel or spade before you start the project. As peonies grow they seem to travel deeper into earth quite a bit and if your plants are pretty established you will need a good shovel. Once you have dug down and get main rootball out you can divide it into smaller sections and take off any dead or diseased tubers(if it's mushy or holey cut it off and toss it)


Prepare your bed with good compost or potting mix and sprinkle some bone meal into hole.That will help stimulate roots and give tubers jump start. Water in hole before you add tubers to settle in soil and force air pockets out.


Plant tuber about 10 inches to 12 inches deep. Firm potting mix down and slowly add water till thoroughly watered in.


Peonies are true perennials and will take 3 to 5 years to fully get back to full size.You will have skinny little plants first year or two after planting but don't worry eventually you will have big beautiful peonies.


Good luck!
Reply:my peonies are over 100 years old. going strong. be sure you have an ax or hatchet. Note where the ground level is on the plant when you dig it up. bury it at the same depth. Where I live zone 6 you can bury too deep but as long as every thing is covered it's hard to be too shallow. Those tubers are tough. If they don't show up the first year wait till next year. Mine were bred to bloom and be sold for memorial day and grave wreaths. By August every thing looks shabby so I just run 'em over with the snapper rider.
Reply:They can be divided and replanted. Just don't plant them too deep or they won't bloom. I have had good luck transplanting them.
Reply:Yes you can divide them.


No they don't like being divided, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.


They will recover, and Make sure you plant them in a sunny/part shade location.


Water them really good when you plant them, and mulch around them.


They will be lovely in 2 yrs.


*Hope this helps you, and don't worry I am sure your Peonies will make you Proud"


Happy Gardening~ ~
Reply:Dig them up in early spring. They don't particularly like being transplanted - but they will recover - just may look a little "weak" the first year. Water them really deep when you transplant, and during and dry periods the first year.