Ontario peonies are lovely and rewarding to grow. Peonies are hardy perennials with big, fragrant blooms in late spring or early summer. White, pink, red, and yellow blooms can be single, semi-double, or double.
First, pick a good spot for your peonies. Peonies prefer well-drained, pH 6.0–7.0 soil. Choose a garden site with at least six hours of sunlight per day. Choose a wind-protected place for peonies.
Peonies need well-prepared soil. Loosen the soil to 12 inches and add compost or well-rotted manure to increase drainage and fertility. Plant peony in spring or fall six weeks before the ground freezes. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the roots without bending them and set the peony plant with the eyes (small, reddish buds on the root) facing up.
After planting, peonies need regular watering. After that, only dry seasons require irrigation. Mulching around plants keeps soil wet and prevents weeds.
Pruning peonies is crucial. Remove dead, damaged, and pencil-thin stems in spring. This promotes growth and prevents sickness. After blooming, clip the stems to the ground for good growth the next year.
Peonies are low-maintenance but sensitive to pests and illnesses. Ants like the buds’ sweet nectar but don’t harm the plant. Before bringing buds indoors, shake off ants. Botrytis blight, a fungal disease that browns leaves and blossoms, can also harm peonies. Avoid watering the leaves and flowers and provide proper air circulation to avoid this.
Growing peony in Ontario is fun and rewarding. . Peonies will delight and enchant in your cutting garden or landscape.
