when to transplant

11 years ago

UPS let me know that I should expect a shipment of peonies the end of the week. I am planning to plant them soon-after (maybe let then soak up a bit of water first to re-hydrate). No question there.

On the other hand, I have some 1st year plants to move without dividing, and some much older plants to move without dividing (whatever breaks off I will let grow - past experience is something always gets left behind). Most of these look great for how late in the season it is.

Do I leave the current ones where they are until they stop looking good, or should I move them sooner? (I am guessing that I leave in place until they begin to wither in October. I am in Zone 5a) .

Thanks for any advice (or confirmation).

Featured Answer

lizbest1

11 years ago

Unless there is a really good reason not to divide the larger clumps I'd do it this fall when you move them. The longer they go between dividing the bigger and tougher the clump gets....

Sometimes that's not an issue, there are varieties that can stay in the ground for 50 years that still grow and look gorgeous every year. Some varieties start getting a woody center that doesn't grow anymore, though. This type will die out in a few years if not divided. It's easy to tell when it's actively growing if you have that type, it looks like it's growing in a doughnut shape.

Regardless of whether you divide or not, good look with your peony transplant!

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Comments (8)

lizbest1
11 years ago
I'd at least wait until your weather starts to cool off to move the ones you have planted now. If you need to move them now plan to give them additional shade and water to keep them from wilting too much, just like any other perennial. They can survive moving pretty much anytime during the year with enough care but fall is optimum.
purslanegarden
11 years ago

I plant to transplant mine when the first cold or frost kills the leaves.
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camofrog
11 years ago
You can transplant them anytime now if you haven't already.
camofrog
11 years ago
You should also divide the older ones. You're already messing them up by moving them, so you might well go all the way and multiply them. Unless you are eager for flowers next year.
scgekg
Original Author
11 years ago
(original poster) I did move them about 2 weeks ago (I split the difference on time to move) and I moved them with soil clumps without dividing - they did not seem any worse the wear for moving it in the interim time. I did not divide because even the largest was still a manageable size - previous homeowner planted those in a bad location. Today I cut everything back (I know I should have waited even longer- many still seemed in good leaf color and were still feeding the roots). My reasoning was it is only a week or so before a killing frost is likely and I was antsy to do some clean up during the good weather we had today. I think/hope they will be fine and will bloom without missing a beat. Thanks for the feedback, even if it seems I went ahead (it made me wait those first two weeks)
camofrog
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
They'll be totally fine. From what I hear they benefit from some division and cutting back on the tubers regardless of size, as it stimulates them to root out more aggressively right after transplantation. Plus it's really fun to hose off the root mass and try to untangle things...it can be a fun puzzle. (Sometimes the clump untangles itself if you shake it gently while hosing it off.) Cleaning them up also lets you identify and cut out rotten parts and remove weed plant roots. But again it's also really fun. It's not too late to dig yours up again and have at it! I've been able to split even weak clumps into five pieces or more.
scgekg thanked camofrog
lizbest1
11 years ago
Hope they like their new location and give you lots of blooms next spring!