Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

flower

verifiedReviewed by the GreenScout Team

Peonies are long-lived perennials producing large, fragrant flowers in late spring. Plant the crown no deeper than 5cm below the soil surface or they will not flower.

Common Problems

Select the problem your Peony is experiencing to get a treatment guide.

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Wiltingchevron_right

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Brown Spotschevron_right

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Yellow Leaveschevron_right

Care Guide

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Light

Full sun to partial shade.

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Water

Regularly when establishing. Drought tolerant once established.

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Soil

Deep, fertile, well-draining soil.

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Fertiliser

Balanced feed in early spring.

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Temperature

Hardy to -30°C (-22°F). Needs cold to flower.

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Humidity

Moderate.

Toxicity

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Mildly toxic. Can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Common Diseases

spaBotrytis Blightchevron_right grainPhytophthora Blightchevron_right

Common Pests

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Seasonal Care

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Resume regular watering and feeding as growth picks up.

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Peak growing season. Water and feed regularly.

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Reduce watering as growth slows. Stop heavy feeding.

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Minimal watering and feeding. Protect from frost if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my Peony flower even though it looks healthy?

Plant the crown no deeper than 5cm below the soil surface — Peonies planted too deep often fail to flower even when the foliage grows well.

Does Peony need a cold winter to bloom?

Yes — it needs cold to flower and is hardy to -30°C, so gardeners in very mild climates may find their Peonies bloom poorly without sufficient winter chill.