Sadly, they will not do well here. Not even in zone 9.

tufanewbie...I'm bummed about it, too.
I moved up to SE PA for a few years when my Dad was ill...my Mom had gorgeous Peonies in her yard that had been 'handed down' from her Mother.
After my Mom passed away and we sold her house, I had to leave them behind.
They sure were gorgeous! *sniff
But.........on the bright side....there are so many other awesome plants that do well here!

I wish!! I had 45 plants all over our yard in NH. By far my favorite flower. *sigh*

Oh, if ONLY you could grow them here!!! They are truly one of the prettiest flowers in the world, and such gorgeous varieties and colors! But sadly, they need a cold winter to do well, and they just don't get it for long enough down here. A one or two day freeze just isn't long enough.

Maybe someone will breed (create, invent, spawn???) a type that loves heat all year long! Wouldn't that be super!!

Marcia

how about digging em up and placing in the fridge for a month or so and then replanting? You know like ya do with an amaryllis. Sounds like a sound plan to me if you really wanted em around.

All it takes is for someone to say its not possible and this sets me off to see if they are correct or not. Thats how I got into growing matos.

Maybe someone can get some plants to try this with.

Msmarion, I lived on an old estate in MA and we had a border of them, the old hot pink ones? small but stunning and I put more into the border..when we moved I was planning on taking some but..those always reminded me of my Italian grandmother..and I also want hydrangea, Japanese maple, hosta, clematis..lol..too hot though right? Debbie in W Melb

Debbie we have got to get together one of these days! An estate is MA, where?
Yes it's too hot for japanese maple and hosta, but you can have hydrangea and clematis though.
Happy gardening

tony,
does amaryllis need to be placed in the fridge?! asking just out of curiosity...tulips - I heard about those :)

Olya

Absolutely not! Don't fall for peony lust from the catalogs! Don't succumb!

You will be far better off with Panama Rose--a non-rose shrub that grows from 3 to 6 feet and has scented, deep pink blossoms (much like pentas, but smaller and far sturdier!). I loved to smell them at night when they were at their best...and they continued to bloom from late October to June.

Yet they're obviously not the same as those oh-so-gorgeous and oh-so-lucious blossoms that only peonies get! I just moved back to Upstate NY in August and now they're blooming and in my garden and I'm in love!

Hmmm, I don't put amarylis in the fridge, now I know tulips and daffediles you have to, if you want them to grow them here. I just grew some amarylis from seed now, thanks Cindee, and they are sprouting fine without the cold.

With the hostas, the snails get them before the heat does, and many of those plants won't make it do to the nematodes in the soil, it isn't always the heat. Of course some require a cold spell.

Hi Olya,

No, they dont need to go in the fridge, BUT if you want them to bloom at a time of YOUR choice you could refrigerate them for a period of time and then take em out with some lead time to get them to bloom on your schedule.

I have only done it once, and it worked.

I figure IF the peonies can tolerate the heat, just not bloom, perhaps chilling em would overcome that, I just dont know without trying.

Maybe someone from up north can send some down to try.

Okay I have to chime in....Here is my peony blooming in the ground. This was planted a little over a year ago and bloomed this past spring. I'm a little further north than some of you but I planted it on a small mound for it to get as much winter chill as possible. Not a good picture but ....

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I really miss Peonies! I had many different varieties in IL. I also miss violets, lilacs, hostas, daffodils, oriental poppies, irises and lilies.
About 4 years ago, I heard on the news that they have developed a way to grow plants that need a chill period that will grow and prosper in our climate. They were talking about these plants being released to the general public without any substancial price increase.
I am a patient person, but 4 years is a long time. I have not heard that mentionrd again, although I know there are now low chill fruits like apples, peaches and plums.

Jo

We have violets, purple-white and pure white. Ok, they don't smell, but they do look nice :-)
And same for the lilacs, the crape myrtles look so much like white lilacs. Hostas are replaced by gingers we have plenty of irises and lilies too.... and then there are the bananas and pineapples and so much more the people up north can only dream about growing in their yard :-)
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That peony is fabulous! I can smell it from here. LOL While I surely do miss them Evelyn is right we have lots of other things to enjoy in our gardens all year, without having to deal with the cold and the snow. We did move to paradise for a reason. LOL

Jo, if you are interested in growing blueberries, peaches etc check out Bay Laurel Nursery in CA they have lots that will grow here. I've been picking blueberries for weeks and would like more bushes. Whiteflower Farms' catalog is great to look at they give zone requirements for east and west. Don't get discouraged you will find lots of plants to fall in love with.
Marion

I was gonna suggest those of us in the panhandle to try to grow peonies. Those lovelies won't be happier further south. Oh well...

Oh I am so jealous of that sweet little peony..and they'll be gone by for my visit up North this weekend..perhaps I can find something else to bring back with me..hmmm can we do Perennial geraniums here or same cold weather issue? Marion do you know? Debbie

Someone on this forum suggested peony flowered poppies last year. I bought the seed and lost it.. they sure LOOK just like peonies and do well here for the fall, winter and spring gardens. I miss peonies, too.

Debbie, if memory serves me correctly you should find peonies is bloom when you get there! Take fabulous pictures please!! As for hardy geranium Cranesbill), I think if you plant them so they get only morning sun they should be OK they do need soil with good drainage. If you see Geranium Purple Pillow would you bring back one for me, it's one of my favorites? I'd love to get together you you get back. Enjoy your trip, I'm planning one for the fall.
Marion

shhh lol I have to make sure my japanese maple and my hosta don't read this :):)
the hosta was not happy in the back garden too much sun but is doing well in its new home in the front.
here area couple pictures
Marcia I haven't forgotten your seeds it has just been crazy here
karla

Hosta I hope it sends the flower spikes out soon I alos have a couple of fuschia in there (i didn't realize the impaitents would fill in so much my first try with them)

the JM is the one in front of the window. I am hoping it sent out enough of a root system during the fall and winter so it will do well this year