Dividing peonies

12 years ago

Hi. I have a peony that may need to be divided. It's already nearly 3' across. Is there a rule of thumb for how big a peony should get before it needs to be divided? Shirley Temple is healthy and it still flowers beautifully. Should I leave it where it is? There is still room for it to grow. If I do divide it, I have heard that the best time to divide is in August because otherwise you can interrupt the growth cycle. Is that true? I was also told to cut up the clump into several pieces with 3-5 eyes per clump because that would be better for the plant. I have never divided a peony before so any advice would be appreciated. BTW, I'm in Canada. Thanks. Marg

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Comments (6)

stevelau1911
12 years ago
It seems like the biggest requirement for having legitimate peony divisions is to have a section with eyes, and enough root mass to support the growth for the following year. Herbaceous peonies are pretty easy to divide. The only tricky part is that the roots are very fragile, and break easily, but that can be prevented if you dig through the soil with precision, and avoid trying to pull the roots out of the soil.

I would suggest digging all around it, and lifting up the entire clump for dividing the whole thing, and the best time to divide is after August when they are completely done with their growth and starting to go dormant.
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Nancy
12 years ago
Are you concerned that your peony has to be divided? If you have room & don't want to divide, I wouldn't bother. Peonies aren't like a lot of plants that may stop blooming when they need division. Peonies can go for decades I think without dividing. The only reason I divide is if it outgrows its spot. Even then I usually just carefully dig out a section that is stepping outside its boundaries. They are brittle & this can be hard to do, but the sections always live for me.
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marricgardens
Original Author
12 years ago
I grow a few peonies but don't know to much about them. My biggest concern about it was that its planted beside DH hydrangea and its starting to get to big. Maybe it would be better to move the hydrangea instead and that way the peony could just keep spreading. Maybe that would be the best way to go. Thanks for the advice. Marg
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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
12 years ago
Around here peony and hydrangea are not likely to be companions due to their preference to different exposure to the sun. I would move the one that is not doing very well. Al
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Nancy
12 years ago
Marg, as Al said, hydrangea & peony generally require different sun exposures. Most hydrangea require a good amount of shade, while peonies need full sun. I have a hydrangea that is in full sun all day & does fine, but don't know what kind it is. Of course, you are just a wee bit farther north than I am, might make a difference there too :) Al's suggestion of moving the one that is not doing as well is probably best. Peonies aren't that bad to move, the main reason I do try to avoid actually moving mine is that they may not bloom the following spring. Some varieties are more picky than others.
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marricgardens
Original Author
12 years ago
Both plants are in full sun and both are doing well. Since the hydrangea is still small, I think it would be better to move that one. Thanks to all for your advice. Marg
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