I see ferns right behind.

How sunny is the spot with the struggling peony? Have surrounding trees grown and started shading it more?

Are the ferns encroaching and crowding?

Has the soil level above the crown risen over the years due to mulching/addition of soil amendments?

The ferns are sort of to the side, those can be removed. No tree recently taken down…. Gets pretty much sun most of the day. I looked, and I don’t really see the crown…. I planted this when I had little plant knowledge.

debra

Here’s a pic in situ.

I finally got around to digging out the ferns and inspecting my peony. here are so e photos of the base of the plant. I assume this is the crown.

A broken piece

debra