Basically, herbaceous peonies are not for southern California. but there are tree peonies and peonies in the Chinese garden in Huntington library, Los Angeles. I guess you can at some micro-climate area.

If these were the little roots that come in a box they can be made to grow, but not in a container in the full sun. The container soil will get so hot the roots will be fried. Keep them in the shade for this summer, well watered, and then when the fall rains start, plant them in the ground. With peonies the question is not will they grow, but will they BLOOM. Check with your county extension service for the average chilling hours where you live, if 400 or more you should be able to bloom peonies, if properly planted. If you have less chilling you could still grow tree peonies that would bloom. Al

Thanks for your advices! I will take a trip to Huntington Library and observe the condition there and will try to mimic it for my peonies. I had it in containers because I was able to move it around depending on where the shade hit in the afternoon... Not realizing peonies are so finicky!

I have been asking the same question for over 20 years and got the same answer from most folks. More and more though, I see reports of people who have had no problem growing them. I suspect the problem may be in the little dried up things you get from big box stores. If you are really serious about peonies, get a high quality bare root by mail order in the fall and try it. You can also buy blooming Itoh hybrid peonies at nurseries, but they don't look or smell like peonies to me.

I agree with your opinion about the Itoh hybrid! You might be right about getting better quality bare roots. I will give that a try too! Would just love to have peonies growing and blooming in my garden, nostagic reasons since my father grew them for my mother in England! Thanks for your comment it gives me more hope in my quest!

Good luck Jane! I am up to the challenge too! Hope to see pictures of your success, meanwhile enjoy the beautiful flowers that we do have and are able to grow!

When do Walmart and Costco in California start selling peony roots in the winter? I've visited both a couple times this month and wasn't able to find any. The ones I picked up from Lowes Jan this year were complete bust.

You can try this link from hollingsworthpeonies, it says peony can grow southern California: Grow peonies in the deep south

Good luck!

You should check out Chateau Charmarron Peonies, they're in CA, think in the south. Can't remember the website address but just do a search on the name. She ships bareroot peonies into Dec.

Chateau CharMarron Peony Gardens is at San Jose, Northern California, not in the south.

Chula Vista Ca first pionies bloom, it took five years.

Itohs seem pretty reliable. Mine is 4 years old now and it has bloomed every year since planting.

Uhoh this is a little disheartening. I just bought a whole crop of bareroot peonies online from a reputable source - Brecks. I've been pretty ambitious with the things I've planted and had success so far. My area is supposed to be Zone 10a in Newport Beach but we're almost on the Back Bay and it doesn't get as much sun or as hot as it does even 2 miles further inland. Water keeps the nights cooler in the winter too. Crossing my fingers that the anemones, peonies, and everything else I bought do ok.

I have not seen the term "reputable source" and Brecks in a sentence for a long time. I was probably about 12 the last time I saw those two words together and I am in my 60's. Your roots will probably be very small.

I think you will have more luck with the Majorcan p.cambessedessii...which does not require the chilling required by many lactifloras and other herbaceous. Easy (if slow) from seed - Chiltern and PlantWorld stock and ship to the US.

Annie's which is in California has it listed now. There are other species peonies that might work for you but the pure seed is hard to find and the plants are even harder. http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=4085