cut off the buds, don't overwater-at this stage they'll be prone to rot and nulch heavily this winter-remembering of course to rake it off in early spring.

digging and dividing a budding plant is a sure way to get it to abort the flowers. .. absolutely no surprise there ...

if the leaves are strong and green.. you should be all set ... i hope you didnt plant them too deep ...

z5 is about half the US.... can you narrow it down.. if you want winter info ... but if you got them from a local friend .. then we should probably presume they are able to handle your version of winter ....

whether or not you get flowers next year ... is dependent on how far you went with dividing ..

they are incredibly stressed... fert is not a response.. imo ...

early dormancy might happen .. and then all you can do.. is make sure the soil is damp late into fall ... and wait ...

ken

My guess is that they will leaf out but not bloom next year, as well. It can take peonies up to three years to start blooming after transplant, although of course they then can bloom for generations after that. As long as they’re not planted too deep, just be patient. The ones I’ve transplanted have bloomed the second year.

In hot weather I give new plants some shade to reduce their loss of water while they grow new roots. My favorite way to this is place a lawn chair where it will provide SW shade. I leave it their for a couple of weeks; not particularly ornamental, but the plant is happier and will settle in more easily. bamboo poles with an old towel or sheet would also provide shade. With future transplants, cut off the flowers.

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. I will cut off the buds and not water too much, mulch well going into winter, and be patient for the next year or two.