We started 42 Peonies last fall in grow bags and then transplanted them in the ground this spring after they started to sprout. One of the pics below shows them in two rows between the Dahlias and tunnels, in the ground. These are perennials that are hardy to Zone 3 and that produce beautiful, fragrant flowers. They generally do not produce flowers for 2 to 3 seasons, so Peonies are a serious investment in terms of original cost and time to production. But they are known to last over 75 years and produce spectacular blossoms when established.
But we had a problem.
Peony sprout this past spring.
Peonies growing in the ground along the tunnels.
Our Peonies started to wilt and were losing their healthy, green color. Not good. Upon examination, we found that they were flooded with water and were essentially drowning. Peonies are not swamp dwellers but, rather, like well-drained soil. As it turned out, the water from the Dahlia drip system (Dahlias like LOTS of water) was leaching into the Peony field and killing them.
We grow our flowers in grow bags for several reasons, one of which is to ensure good soil quality and aeration for plant roots. But, we endeavor to plant our perennials permanently in the ground, since they will come back year after year and do not particularly like to be moved. However, as we discovered, the soil in this field is substandard; comprised mainly of clay with essentially no nutritional value or natural drainage. Gary immediately moved them back to grow bags which is a far more controllable environment.
Peonies rescued by grow bags.
Most of the Peonies have come back. We lost 4 plants but it could have been worse. One Peony actually put up a single bloom, which is extraordinary for the first season after planting. Hopefully, a good sign of things to come.
The one and only Peony blossom of 2020.