I think peonies are fairly easy to grow and they are fairly resourceful plants but one issue I have had in the past is with peonies not flowering. When I say not flowering, this can mean a lot of things from buds never actually forming, buds not opening or simply the buds drop off before they open. I think the most common problem is that the buds actually never form. Now for me, I quickly learnt that I had planted…
It’s not necessary to divide peonies and they can do just fine if lift to do their own thing. However, I like to divide mine every 3-4 years as I find they make much better plants and don’t become too overcrowded which can also increase the chances of diseases. Ideally, I like to divide them into smaller sections in late summer/autumn/Fall, usually around September. I find this is probably the best time to divide them but you can also do…
I’m a big fan of peonies and love both the herbaceous and intersectional peonies and I have both in my garden. I personally think the stunning large blooms are one of the most beautiful flowers you can have, it’s just a shame the flowers are a little short lived. However, the green foliage still provides an excellent backdrop of colour in herbaceous and shrub borders which is why I always deadhead the flowers as they finish in summer and then…
Following on from my guide on peony pests and diseases and why some of my peonies were wilting. I thought it would be a good idea to do an article on what’s been eating my peonies. This has always been a problem for me, yet my mum’s peonies in her garden go untouched. Not sure what it is about my peonies but this is why I now always cut mine back later in the season to provide some winter peony…
Following on from my guide on what was eating my peony leaves, peony leaves wilting and the buds dying is usually the result of an infestation of pests but it can be caused by fungal disease or lack of water. The latter is easy to resolve with a better watering schedule. Peonies like moist but well drained soil so be sure to water more frequently during dry spells and consider adding a layer of mulch to try ad help maintain…
I nearly always recommend growing peonies in the ground or in large raised beds if you can. However, I have also successfully grown peonies in pots. After all, when I worked as a nurseryman, I grew hundreds of peonies in large deep containers to sell at garden centres. In some cases, you might only have the space to grow them in containers. With this in mind, in this guide, I’m going to give all the secrets and tips for growing…
I have several different peonies in my garden so in this guide, I’m going to tell you what you need to do to make sure your peonies make it through long cold winters. Winter care for peonies starts in the autumn and there’s some work to be done whether your peonies are growing in your garden or in pots on your patio. Personally, I have them growing in borders and large raised beds as shown in the image below. Cut…
There are several ways to propagate delphiniums. You can plant seeds both indoors and outdoors in spring, divide the root which I do myself every 3 years, or grow them by taking basal cuttings (This is where you take the cutting from ground level). I cover all 3 ways showing you how to propagate delphiniums below starting with sowing seed. Each section, or way to propagate delphiniums also links out to a complete guide just on that one method too….
The spectacular appearance of delphiniums is well worth the time and care needed to look after them. From choosing their best location in your garden to preparing them for the winter months, you’re rewarded in the summer with glorious color for the effort you put into their care and maintenance. Did you know, you can even grow smaller varieties of delphiniums in containers and pots which I cover here. Timetable Sow seeds, if using: March, April Plant: any time of…
Growing delphiniums from seed is a low cost way of having these stunning flowers in your garden and following on from my guide on how to take cuttings as well as how to divide delphiniums. Growing delphiniums from seed involve carefully following a number of steps. You can sow the seeds indoors and then transplant them in your garden, or directly sow the seeds in the soil in your flowerbed. This article covers both methods but my preferred method is…