When and how much to water your peonies
Summer Watering: Setting the Stage for Next Year's Peony Blooms
Even though your peonies have finished blooming, they're far from finished growing. In fact, this is one of the most important times of the year for your plants. During July and August and into the fall, peonies are building roots and developing the buds that will become next spring's flowers. If the soil becomes too dry during this critical period, next year's bloom potential can suffer.
Established peonies don't need daily watering, but they do benefit from a deep soaking about once a week during hot, dry weather. Aim to provide about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. Of course, Mother Nature doesn't follow a schedule, so keep an eye on how much rain your garden actually receives. If you've had a good soaking rain, you may be able to skip watering that week. During extended dry spells, you may need to water more often.
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, dig down with your fingers into the soil a few inches to get a sense for how dry the soil is beneath the surface.
The key is to water slowly and deeply, allowing moisture to soak 6–12 inches into the soil where the roots are growing. One of our favorite tricks is to punch a small hole in the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket, fill it with water, and set it next to the base of the plant. The bucket will slowly empty over several minutes, allowing the water to soak into the soil instead of running off the surface.
Note: This is a great tip for all your newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials this time of year!
Always water at the base of the plant rather than wetting the foliage, and water early in the morning whenever possible. This helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases while giving the roots plenty of moisture before the heat of the day.
Newly planted peonies will need more frequent watering because their root systems are still becoming established. Check them every few days during periods of hot weather, keeping the soil evenly moist but never soggy.
A little attention now can make a big difference next spring. Deep watering during the hottest weeks of summer helps ensure your peonies have the moisture they need to develop strong roots—and the beautiful flower buds that will reward you next year.
Peony Raspberry Sundae is a double bomb for peony. Blooms are a combination of soft raspberry and cream blend for a tri-color effect. This beauty blooms mid season with a sweet fragrance.
With 36" tall stems it is great for cutting. I would advise staking it in a garden setting as the generous blooms stress the strength of the stems.
Week 5 bloom date rating.
Registered: Klehm, Carl G., 1968
3-5 eye roots are shipped or available for pickup in fall.