I get mixed signals every time planting bare root peony questions come up around the forums. Like you, I picked up some S. Bernhardt and Felix Crousse from one of the big boxes a while back. I potted them up and am keeping them in a cool room with a sunny window; will gradually start hardening them off late this month and will plant outside as soon as the soil is warm and workable - here in Duluth between mid May and Memorial Day. I want them to develop their good root systems in their permanent spots in the ground, not in pots where I might overlook watering, etc. And, like someone said, peonies are tough and they're "investment" plants - though they might not bloom this year, they'll be rewarding down the line. If I lived in a warm zone and could be assured there wouldn't be a frost or snow storm in September, I might keep them in pots for months - but this is Minnesota (where peonies flourish beautifully seemingly regardless of how they're treated). Pot them up fairly soon; don't leave them in the bags too long. Plant with the sprouting eye/bud about an inch or so under the soil line. Same for when planting out permanently; planting them too deeply will likely result in no blooms.

My experience is that often peonies get off to a slow start when transplanted, so it seems totally normal to me that you might only have a single bloom on each if you just planted them last year. If you planted them so that when all was said and done, the surface of the soil in the pot was even with the surface of the soil in the ground, you planted it right, and even if you planted it a little too deep or a little too shallowly, the plant will correct itself. Sounds like you have lots of foliage, which is a sign of a healthy plant. The buds you mentioned are probably small flower buds, and they may or may not expand to flowering size. But, even on established plants there will be shoots with tiny buds that don't develop into flowers, so nothing to worry about. Sounds like everything is fine, the plant just needs some more time to gear up. - Steve

Sunflower: Part of the "problem" lies in the fact that reading - even excellent books - can lead to a great deal of "confusion". Perhaps the best example that I can direct you to is to read the chapter on "Roses" in the superb book - "The Fragrant Year" by Helen van Pelt Wilson and Leonie Bell and then read the chapter on "Roses" in Eleanor Perenyi's also superb book: "Green Thoughts: A Writer in the Garden". Both are superb books and I wouldn't be without them. Nevertheless, you'll note the differences of opinion and may begin to wonder as to who has the better information. And, of course, if you read and consult "Peonies" by Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall, you'll probably come to a different conclusion altogether from the sources you've consulted to date. Here's a link to her book followed by one review. Peonies "If you are a peony lover, you will treasure this book. Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall not only knows her peonies and traces their fascinating history through the imperial courts of China and Japan, but she interweaves this with a history of how peonies have been used in paintings and porcelain. The beautiful pictures included not only show the various peony cultivars, but show the peony as it is used in Asian porcelains, paintings and European paintings. This book and its photographs are so lovely, that I expected to pay much more for it. It's a bargain, if you are a peony lover. Al Rogers "Peonies" is a bit more explicit about growing and cultivation, but this book compliments his, because of the romance it brings to the peony. It is also practical, listing the cultivars, showing many pictures, and recommending the more successful cultivars. If you love peonies and want to know more about their place in history, I heartily recommend Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall's "Peonies."" I have a copy of this book in my personal library and I heartily concur with this reviewer's comments. Copies of this excellent book can also be obtained at or through your public library. While all of this diverse information and images can lead to confusion, one should keep in mind that doing one's "homework" can be a process of gaining pleasure from the process of finding things out. I went through your "homework" process last summer and fall and ordered the following peonies. I may add a few more over the next year or so, but I don't have that many spaces currently available to fill. Although I initially chose Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchesse de Nemours', I decided otherwise and ordered "Florence Nicholls instead. Here's a brief comparison between these two white Peonies. First a link to a wonderful "search" and information tool. Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchesse de Nemours' The main "search" page: PlantFinder Search Now here are the images: First, Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchesse de Nemours' And then "Florence Nicholls" Their respective descriptions: Again: Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchesse de Nemours' "This herbaceous (soft stemmed) peony cultivar is a shrubby plant that, each year, will typically grow to 3' tall by mid-spring, bloom, display attractive foliage throughout the summer and early fall, and then die to the ground after frost. An old standard that features large, very fragrant, double flowers (white bombs) with cupped, white guard petals and dense light yellow centers. Blooms in late mid-season (usually May in the St. Louis area). Glossy green foliage is divided into oval to lance-shaped leaflets. Excellent cut flower. (Calot, 1856)." Source: PlantFinder - Missouri Botanical Garden. Then "Florence Nicholls" "FLORENCE NICHOLLS (VF)(M)(Nicholls) Very large, very fragrant rose-form white double that opens with a blush before turning pure white; petals have heavy substance, stems are strong; an elegant white." Source: A & D Nursery Two of the "reasons" that I opted for "Florence" was the factor of strong stems and the greater fragrance. I also chose "Moon Over Barrington", whose image and description are below. "MOON OVER BARRINGTON (F)(M)(Klehm) Large creamy white double with layers of billowing petals; lovely spicy fragrance; vigorous short plant, about 26" tall. Source: A & D Nursery I also chose "Chestine Gowdy" and also purchased her from A & D Nursery, who does not list her in this year's selection. While A & D Nursery had a wonderfully clear photograph of her, I tried to find an excellent photograph of her and create an image link, but somehow it has failed. So if you link here, you'll see her in her glory. Chestine Gowdy Image and Informational Source: Full Bloom Farm "(Brand 1913) Beautiful old-fashioned, full double with guards and crown of light rose, crown edged with fine red line, collar is creamy white. Floriferous, strong grower, excellent fragrance, stiff stems. A gem." Another informational source: "A showy peony, with fragrant, double pink blooms. The outer petals are coloured a warm, soft pink; the inner ones are pink to white, extremely ruffled. The overall effect is of a rounded blossom, coloured a shiny silver-pink. The plant reaches around 95cm (3ft) in height and flowers at the end of May and early June, while its dark green foliage takes on good autumn colour. This can be grown in the company of the late summer flowering anemones." Informational Source: The Plant Press (England) And finally, I added to Philippe Revoire's Here are two image and informational sources: First image and informational source: A & D Nursery "PHILIPPE RIVOIRE (VF)(L)(Riviere) A medium-size deep crimson double, almost purple, with an intense old rose fragrance; needs to time to get established; a short plant about 24" to 30" tall." Second image and informational source: La Pivoinerie D'Aoust Home page: La Pivoinerie D'Aoust This company is a Canadian firm selling to Canada, the US and Europe. I had the same image problem with Philippe Revoire at this source, but, again, if you link to this, you come directly to the page. Philippe Revoire "One of the very few peonies of this colour to have a strong rose fragrance. Introduced in 1911 by the renowned French peony family, Rivie. The small flowers have the form of a loose double and are held well on reddish stems well above the dark green foliage." Of course, all of these images bring up another "problem" for you to consider. Just as book descriptions can be conflicting, so can the images you will find at various peony source. Fortunately, I have been extremely well pleased with the photos and information found through the "PlantFinder" Search tool of the Missouri Botanical Garden. I have also been well pleased with the quality of images and information found at a few peony sources - especially, A & D Nursery. If you wish to spend a little time, I'd suggest that you pick out a peony that you are considering for inclusion in your garden and then find different images and descriptions through a google search. I don't think that you'll be surprised to find out how poor image quality can quickly bring disappointment to an otherwise excellent candidate. I am particularly grateful to A & D Nursery for having the integrity to post superb images of Chestine - otherwise I would have ignored her completely. So go exploring with some enjoyment and pleasure in seeing what you can find out and then choice the "candidates" for your garden wisely. My best wishes in your "homework" adventures! Bill

I only keep mine in part morning sun. I have the same peony cultivar and it is also "permanently" in a container (but somewhat larger - about a 14"). I only water when the surface of the soil is starting to dry and then water it deeply. The interval of watering will depend on your soil type and temps and how long it takes to begin to dry. When they are thirsty, they will droop however. In spring, I sprinkle some bone meal on the soil surface away from the rhizome and eyes, lightly scratching it in, and that's pretty much it. I am trying to treat for powerdery mildew though. Baking soda in water sprayed on the leaves has been helping. I would take yours out of the full blasting sun.