I was told to dig out the nearby ferns, and look to see if the corm could be seen. I did that. Here are photos of after.

I know these look like rocks, but they aren’t. The peony is at least 25 years old.

piece that broke off

Have you done any soil testing?

Could be something is lacking, possibly nitrogen?

FWIW: In my nutrient poor, sandy soil, I've seen benefits by watering some of my perennials, generally peonies, as soon as the ground thaws, with a mix of water and Mirical Grow soluble.

I suppose it could be done in the winter if the ground will absorb it, but frozen ground will not.

A Onetime application in the spring, even half strength does the trick for me.

Thanks Bill! I just know my soil is alkaline. I have never had it tested m so perhaps I should do that.

debra

Too much shade? I've had Peonies that flowered wonderfully at first, but as other shrubs and trees grew up around them and provided more shade, they can't flower like they used to.

Or, as time progresses, the leafmould and humus levels increase, leading to the paeony crown becoming buried too deep for flowering to be initiated. That does not look to be the case for you though, Debs. I only have a couple of herbaceous paeonies and am no sort of expert but I do wonder if soil depths work both ways - a degree of root coverage being as essential as access to light and warmth during the blooming season.

Thanks all. Sandyslopes, I do believe it’s receiving enough sun. It’s early morning shade and then full sun until 6-7 depending on the time of year.

I will do some soil testing and then provide whatever might be needed.

debra

debra, I'm sorry you're not getting more suggestions. I know nothing, really, about peonies, so I am of no help either lol. But I had to say how spectacular your M. Jules Elie looks - wow, I've NEVER had that many buds on my lone Sarah Berhhardt peony. It must look lovely in bloom.

This is just a wild stab here, but do peonies need to be dug up and divided, like irises? I know they are very long-lived, but if this is 25 years old, is it possible it needs to be divided? Again, just a guess....

Good luck!

:)

Dee

Dee, I don’t know about dividing them…. I guess I need to do some research myself! I don’t think it would be easy to dig it out, that’s for sure, but maybe that’s what it needs. Thanks for the suggestion.

debra