I've been growing them successfully in the ground, and outside in pots, for eight years here, and for a couple of years in Maryland way back when. We get all of our rainfall Nov. - May, and lots of it, with lows dipping in the mid thirties. It doesn't bother my old pair of obesa at all, even though Desert-Tropicals care advise is for totally dry conditions during a winter dormancy. Summers here have low humidity, no rain, with highs usually the mid-eighties, with rare 90-100F days. I water fairly liberally during the summer, meaning every couple of weeks. These conditions are similar to obesa's native cape region of S. Africa which is almost the same latitude as here. This environment is very different than your growing conditions, but the plant seems to be pretty tough. When I grew one in Maryland, the humidity had a large influence on how fast the soil mix dries out, so use something super porous, with 90% inorganics like perlite, pumice, gravel, turface, etc. in the 1/8 to 3/8-inch size range. I think you can grow it outside, but keep an eye on soil conditions. Brad

Find out what is underneath before you dig or remove existing shrubs or trees because they may have roots down around: water, gas, electrical, phone, or TV cable lines septic tanks or sewer pipes Plan ahead for possible uses of the green lawn so you still have enough straight space for bocce ball, croquet, etc. Our son reminds me every time I expand or make new beds that take away some of the lawn. Good tip to lay out outline with hose. I've also used pots empty or filled to visualize the height as I have to see it and can't envision it. Walk the area, sit in a chair in various spots, check the views, & over several days decide where the lines should be for garden, lawn, porch, etc. Since the street is on one side think about possible entry from kids on bikes, stray balls, & noise pollution from cars. Think about all the seasons & how your gardens will affect snow & leaf removal, lawn mowing, getting amendments to the garden, harvesting herbs, etc. Before I had paths & more garden beds in the front yard I didn't go in it unless I was mowing, playing a game with the kids, or pulling weeds. Now, I look out every day, walk it, & enjoy the space. Another factor is air quality - from street, or neighbors... Neither were a problem for 15 years until neighbors moved in who smoked on their porch & used burn barrels in front & back yard. Three adult drivers + their frequent guests driving on gravel drive that passes our house 1st, then cigarette smoke increased as they visited... Prevailing wind carried smoke across lawn to our home & even up over house & into the back yard. If any window open would suck it right into the house. Now I can go right outside without checking if the "smoke was clear", wearing a bandana, or carrying an inhaler. Something I took for granted -- clean air -- has returned because they moved away in January. I'm delighted we could scrap our plans to build a screen & hedge between us because I prefer the open space instead. I didn't think it would work very well anyway unless we planted more trees & our septic is in the middle of the lawn. Our only other option would be to move & I'm so glad they did instead!

Well Today; things seem to be perking up; both plants have lost quite a few of their leaves the Caerulea has lost quite a bit of its leaves; all the ones that were damaged and had turned color fell off today; and some of the Buds as well. The Alato seems to be doing better than the Caerulea; the leaves aren't as droopy today; it has lost some leaves but not as many as the Caerulea; Both seem to be perking up now. I am sure it also had to do with the fact that I had to change the soil which in turn I lost some of the far extended Roots; but if I had left the soil in I think I would have lost the plant for good; so I had to take the chance and change it. Now that both have lost some foilage; the root system won't have to work as hard; and I am hoping it will come back better than ever. Funny thing; I put some of the same Fertilizer in my Lady Margaret and it is doing fine; when I saw the effect of the other two I took the top inches of soil out of the Lady and replaced it; but I never once saw any change in the Plant overall. It seems even though they are all from the Passionflower family; they all seem to need completely different things; From now on I am just going to give the Big pot with the 2 Different Passionflower plants the Premix Fertilizer; that seems the safest way to go.

I would go ahead and dig it up and separate the weed roots out. That would be better than spraying round up again next year. Fall is the best time to dig and replant or dig, divide, and replant peonies. You say your fern leaf peony has a 10-12 inch root ball. That may be large enough to divide in half. Be sure to leave 3-5 eyes on each division (or lots more). If you get some smaller divisions with eyes that break off, go ahead and replant those as well. If you want to get rid of those weeds, now is the best time of year. Good luck!