Peonies are best dug up in the fall, divided, and planted then. Since you have already dug it up and divided it, you are likely going to get some setback doing it while it is actively growing. Can I ask whether it was growing when you dug it up? Best thing is replant the divisions immediately in an ideal sunny well drained location that don't have root competition from other plants. Hopefully they survive the shock and regrow for you. Unless it is a very delicate peony, they should survive this. Place an umbrella or lawn chair over to shade them temporarily. If they start to wilt and the peonies don't seem like they are doing anything (like sending up new growths), don't worry. Just leave them alone and the crown will redevelop eyes to replace those were lost in the fall. Next spring you should see some growths from these two roots.

How deeply was the peony planted? Planting too deep results in no flowers. When replanting make sure the eyes are 1 1/2''-2" deep. I keep mine planted pretty shallowly. Peonies are hardy you should be able to resolve your problem.

Do you know what the variety is? I had one that did the same thing, it was a Saunder's peony named Cytherea. On a suggestion from Karen I dug it up and put it in a much drier spot, it bloomed 2 years later. The whole thing looked really weird when I dug it up, lots of shallow, tangled, woody growth, no real feeder roots. I'd try planting it somewhere else before you give up on it!

Thank you for all of your responses. I have no idea what kind it is, but its probably one I dug up from our farm. I do know some of these peonies were planted by my Mother-in-law and are 50 years old. The soil there is clay and can get hard as a rock when not watered. They didn't get watered too often but bloomed like crazy. If these roots were taken from a very old plant, I guess its already done its duty, so if they don,t do well I can't complain!!!!!!!

I think it will be fine. Amend the soil a bit & plant it, just not too deep, as mentioned. Years ago before I knew anything about peonies, I decided to dig & divide a peony that was in the yard when I move there. I dug immediately after it flowered, chopped it all up, replanted with no regard to depth. It bloomed beautifully the next spring. Sure wish I had brought a piece of it with me when I moved, it was really pretty.