Where are you located?

tj

Louisville, Ky

I have edited my post to include that. I was not even thinking to include it. Thank you for reminding me. It is very much appreciated, being new to this site.

When you move will the ground be frozen? If not, I would plant them shallowly and then mulch to prevent frost heaving and freeze-thaw, planning to remove the mulch in early spring.

Peonies do not like being moved. From my experience, established Peonies have a formidable root systems difficult to dig up without doing more or less damage.

In your situation I would not try to dig up the whole plant only a portion of it with two or tree eyes, and, if the ground is not frozen, plant them in their permanent location immediately, keeping the eyes about an inch below the ground level. Peonies wake up from dormancy very early in spring so keeping them in any kind of "storage" during winter is not a good idea.

Most likely they will not bloom the next year, but should be ok in the long run.

Well, I had a peony that I got at a plant auction and then wasn't able to plant (porch construction delays), and it just sat in it's large pot through the winter and got planted the following spring (after about a year in its pot). I think we planted it after it bloomed. If it's already potted, then sinking the pot would probably be better than just letting it sit under a tree somewhere, but no special winter storage necessary.