Why don't red peonies bloom for me?

5 years ago

I have huge gorgeous peonies in every color of white, blush, pink and rose but cannot get red or fuchia double ones to bloom. I do have 2 old singles that still bloom. My favorite peony was Peter Brand(?) which was the only double one that got good size and blooms but it got botrytis or something that turns the leaves splotched, black and shriveled up and eventually it stopped coming up even tho the tubers looked healthy but no eyes. I have 3 varieties now. I've dug them up after several years and moved them, raised them, lowered them - nothing. Best I get is a tiny wizened black nub or two but nothing that actually makes a flower. Any ideas? (Zone 5/6 WV acid soil)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Embothrium
5 years ago
Presumably by your own description the problem is the "botrytis or something" - try undertaking maintenance applications of dolomitic limestone to make your site conditions less favorable for it.
maifleur03
5 years ago
Depending on how often you dug them up and moved them they never were in one place long enough to develop root structure enough for bloom. Peonies are not something that can be dug up frequently and be expected to bloom especially Peter Brand which at best is three years from planting to first bloom.
Related Professionals
Tampa Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fredericksburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Pittsburg Landscape Contractors · San Marcos Landscape Contractors · Lincoln Landscape Contractors · Sheboygan Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · San Luis Obispo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Colorado Springs Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Mobile Landscape Contractors · Waterloo Landscape Contractors · Murrieta Landscape Contractors · Tallahassee Home Builders · Galveston Home Builders · Ithaca Home Builders · Lima Home Builders
hydrangeahead Central WI 4b
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
But if ikaye has beautiful peonies of the other colors, I think we can assume said gardener KNOWS how to grow peonies, right? Like maybe there is something to this question, and we shouldn't count it out immediately. Just a thought, respectfully :)

I myself am curious to see what comes o this thread, because I have some peonies that don't bloom for me no matter where I put them either while the other ones do....
maifleur03
5 years ago
hydrangeahead and op did you read my comment? It may be that you are putting them in too many places and their roots are not established. Mackinac Grand is a good example. Even in the best conditions it may bloom from a blooming sized bud left on by the grower the first or second year. It then takes between 5 and 7 years before it will start blooming again. Digging them up will remove the tiny feeder roots that are needed for establishment.
windberry zone5a BCCanada
5 years ago
Totally agree with maifleur. Peonies dislike being moved. I had an established bed of Peonies of different colors blooming abundantly every year for many years. Unfortunately I had to move them last year. It was done at right time of year, with utmost care, and preserving as big root ball as possible. This year only my reds bloom, although very scarcely, and one variety of pink will probably have a few flowers. Another pink variety will not bloom at all. I don't think that is because of the color, but because this particular variety may be especially intolerant of moving.

So my advice to lkayetwv is: leave your Peonies in peace and wait patiently until they are ready to bloom.