Fernleaf peony plants (Paeonia tenuifolia) are
vigorous, reliable plants with unique, fine-textured, fern-like foliage. Showy
deep red or burgundy flowers appear a little earlier than most other peonies,
generally in late spring and early summer.
Although fernleaf peony plants tend to cost a bit more,
they’re worth the extra expense because they grow slowly and live so long.
How to Grow Fernleaf Peonies
Growing fernleaf peonies is easy in USDA plant hardiness
zones 3-8. Peonies need cold winters and won’t bloom well without a period of
chill.
Fernleaf peony plants prefer at least six hours of sun per
day.
The soil should be fertile and well drained. If your soil is
sandy or clay, mix in a generous amount of compost before planting. You can
also add a handful of bone
meal.
If you’re planting more than one peony plant, allow 3 to 4
feet (1 m.) between each plant. Overcrowding can promote disease.
Fernleaf Peony Care
Water fernleaf peony plants every week, or more often when
weather is hot and dry, or if you’re growing fernleaf peonies in container.
Dig a handful of low nitrogen fertilizer into the soil around the plant when new growth is about 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm.) tall in spring. Look for a product with an N-P-K ratio such as 5-10-10. Water well to prevent the fertilizer from burning the roots. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, which can cause weak stems and sparse blooming.
Add a layer of mulch, about 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm.), in
spring to conserve soil moisture, then be sure to remove the mulch in fall. Add
fresh mulch consisting of evergreen boughs or loose straw before winter.
You may need to stake fernleaf peony plants, as the big
blooms may cause the stems to lean towards the ground.
Remove wilted flowers as they fade. Cut the stems down to
the first strong leaf so the bare stems don’t stick up above the plant. Cut
fernleaf peony plants nearly to the ground after the foliage dies down in fall.
Don’t dig and divide fernleaf peonies. The plants don’t
appreciate being disturbed, and they will grow in the same place for many
years.
Fernleaf peonies are rarely bothered by insets. Never spray
ants crawling over the peonies. They are actually beneficial for the plant.
Fernleaf peony plants are disease resistant, but they can be
afflicted with phytophthora
blight or botrytis
blight, especially in wet conditions or poorly drained soil. To prevent
infection, cut plants to the ground in early fall. Spray the shrubs with
fungicide as soon as tips emerge in spring, then repeat every two weeks until
midsummer.
Fernleaf peony plants (Paeonia tenuifolia) are
vigorous, reliable plants with unique, fine-textured, fern-like foliage. Showy
deep red or burgundy flowers appear a little earlier than most other peonies,
generally in late spring and early summer.
Although fernleaf peony plants tend to cost a bit more,
they’re worth the extra expense because they grow slowly and live so long.
How to Grow Fernleaf Peonies
Growing fernleaf peonies is easy in USDA plant hardiness
zones 3-8. Peonies need cold winters and won’t bloom well without a period of
chill.
Fernleaf peony plants prefer at least six hours of sun per
day.
The soil should be fertile and well drained. If your soil is
sandy or clay, mix in a generous amount of compost before planting. You can
also add a handful of bone
meal.
If you’re planting more than one peony plant, allow 3 to 4
feet (1 m.) between each plant. Overcrowding can promote disease.
Fernleaf Peony Care
Water fernleaf peony plants every week, or more often when
weather is hot and dry, or if you’re growing fernleaf peonies in container.
Dig a handful of low nitrogen fertilizer into the soil around the plant when new growth is about 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm.) tall in spring. Look for a product with an N-P-K ratio such as 5-10-10. Water well to prevent the fertilizer from burning the roots. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, which can cause weak stems and sparse blooming.
Add a layer of mulch, about 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm.), in
spring to conserve soil moisture, then be sure to remove the mulch in fall. Add
fresh mulch consisting of evergreen boughs or loose straw before winter.
You may need to stake fernleaf peony plants, as the big
blooms may cause the stems to lean towards the ground.
Remove wilted flowers as they fade. Cut the stems down to
the first strong leaf so the bare stems don’t stick up above the plant. Cut
fernleaf peony plants nearly to the ground after the foliage dies down in fall.
Don’t dig and divide fernleaf peonies. The plants don’t
appreciate being disturbed, and they will grow in the same place for many
years.
Fernleaf peonies are rarely bothered by insets. Never spray
ants crawling over the peonies. They are actually beneficial for the plant.
Fernleaf peony plants are disease resistant, but they can be
afflicted with phytophthora
blight or botrytis
blight, especially in wet conditions or poorly drained soil. To prevent
infection, cut plants to the ground in early fall. Spray the shrubs with
fungicide as soon as tips emerge in spring, then repeat every two weeks until
midsummer.