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First off, what is a side bud?

Some peonies produce one flower per stem. Other varieties have multiple buds on one stem. For these, one of those buds is the main one, the others are found lower down on the stem, typically smaller and bloom later.

Removing those secondary side buds will allow the plant to devote all its energy to the primary bud. This makes that resulting flower bigger, bolder and better than it would have been if the side buds had been left on.

As an experiment, you can try removing side buds from some of the stems and leave them on for others, even on the same plant. Compare the flowers and be sure to share your results!

In order for the plant to divert energy in time, you should remove the side buds as early as possible, preferably when they are the size of peas.

It’s your choice, more blooms or one big bloom!

The American Peony Society is the foremost expert on peonies in the world. So many great minds have contributed to the collective knowledge of this agency.

We are a proud APS commercial member and preferred vendor.

For more than 100 years, the APS has awarded both people and peonies that go above and beyond.

The Gold Medal

The “Gold Medal” is awarded annually for peonies exhibiting outstanding floral qualities and in recent years has also been designated  “Peony of the Year.”  These peonies are excellent for gardeners wishing to have plants that produce outstanding flowers for use as cut flowers, arranging or simple visual enjoyment.

- American Peony Society

Long story short, you’ll wrap your stems in plastic and lay them in the fridge until you fancy a bit of beauty.

This is such a great idea when you know you’ll have company in mid-summer or perhaps a wedding. Or maybe you’re just celebrating a summer day.

No matter the reason, you can enjoy a vase of peonies well after spring has passed. Here’s how.

I’m a big fan of using mulch, and specifically a natural wood mulch. No dyes. But there are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to mulching peonies.

It’s a topical and relevant subject right now, so I’m jumping off that for this week’s email. Here’s when and how to fertilize peonies.

• Rule number one is not to fertilize peonies as a rule without a reason to do so. Generally, peonies do not need to be fertilized. But if yours isn’t growing as well as it used to or appears to be struggling, then yes, fertilizing can be an option.

Peonies are a harbinger of spring with their massive and colorful flowers that stand out at a time when most of the other summer bloomers are still working on stems and leaves.

Zone by zone, peonies bloom begins first in the south and makes its way north over the course of a few months.

For Zones 7-8 (the warmest zones peonies can generally tolerate) bloom season starts in April and lasts into May. Some varieties in zone 7 can linger into early June.

Heading polward, zones 5-6 generally bloom May into early June.

Zones 3-4 can expect bloom time from very late May through late June.

And finally anyone growing peonies in zone 2 can plan for bloom time June into July.

Here on our farm we typically see the hybrid red and coral varieties peaking around Memorial Day into very early June. Woody (tree) peonies, fern peonies and other early varieties bloom as early as the first week in May!

The last of the pink and white doubles wait until closer to the middle of June. By Father’s Day there are still flowers in the fields but they are definitely starting to disappear.

Now of course there are some caveats. Peonies planted on a warm south exposure against a rock wall or house will bloom earlier. If you’re in a valley where cool air pools, bloom can come a little later. Microclimates like these, both warm and cool can affect bloom. A warm spring can also speed up bloom time.

And then there’s the matter of variety. Different varieties of peonies bloom at different times in the season. With the right collection peony season can last several weeks!

Look for the bloom date or bloom week when shopping for peonies. This can help pair peonies that bloom during the same week for more of a mass display. But planting peonies that bloom during different weeks will make for a longer peony season. The decision there is a hard one and up to you!