Blooming, pruning, fertilizing… Everything you need to know about peony season
The star flower of Mother’s Day? It’s this one! Every spring, it treats us to a marvelous display, unfurling its plump petals and filling the air with its intoxicating fragrance. Today, the editorial team at Sessile.fr tells you everything you need to know about peony season: when they bloom, when to prune or fertilize them, and most importantly, when to buy them from your local florist!
When do peonies bloom?
Wedding bouquets, birth bouquets, and Mother's Day bouquets: the peony is the perfect choice for life's happy occasions.
The peony is a quintessential spring flower: in France, it begins to bloom in April and continues through June.
It should be noted, however, that the blooming period can vary significantly depending on the type of peony—herbaceous or tree peony—and the specific varieties grown. Herbaceous peonies, which are most commonly found at our local florists—particularly the Chinese peony—tend to bloom earlier in the season.
I find my bouquet of peonies
When is the best time to prune peonies?
The best time to prune peonies is during the second half of the year. Depending on the type of pruning to be done, this period ranges from June to December.
There are different pruning approaches depending on whether the peony is a tree peony or a herbaceous peony. In the case of tree peonies, or Paeonia suffruticosa, there are even three different pruning methods. This peony does not grow close to the ground and its shoots gradually become woody. It emerges from the ground with numerous shoots and branches out optimally and evenly above ground.
How do you prune tree peonies?
Pruning involves removing all dead and dried-out parts of the plant. These may include individual branches or flowers. At the end ofwinter, it is recommended—both for aesthetic reasons and for the plant’s health—to cut away dead wood where there are no swollen or emerging buds.
How do you prune herbaceous peonies?
While peonies are in bloom, remove wilted flowers by cutting the stem just below the flower head to encourage new blooms. Asfall approaches, it is advisable to prune stems that have bloomed or dried out. For herbaceous peonies, which have tender stems, cut the dead stems 10 cm from the ground using sharp pruning shears.
When is the best time to fertilize peonies?
The fertilization schedule for peonies depends on the type of peony and the climate zone. Here are some general guidelines for fertilizing peonies:
How do you fertilize tree peonies?
- It is recommended to fertilize in early spring, before new shoots appear.
- Use a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer, or a fertilizer specifically formulated for peonies.
- Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, as this could promote leaf growth at the expense of flower growth.
How do you fertilize herbaceous peonies?
- Apply the fertilizer in early spring, when the shoots begin to emerge from the ground.
- Use a balanced fertilizer or one formulated specifically for peonies.
- Avoid applying fertilizer directly to the bases of the plants to prevent burning.
How often should peonies be fertilized?
- Applying fertilizer once a year may be sufficient in many situations.
- However, if your soil is particularly poor, you might want to consider a second application in earlysummer.
What kind of fertilizer should I use for peonies?
- Organic fertilizers, such as well-decomposed compost, can also be beneficial. They improve soil structure and provide nutrients more slowly but steadily.
- Be sure to water the peonies after applying fertilizer to help them absorb the nutrients.
It is important to note that specific needs may vary depending on local conditions and soil characteristics. It is therefore always a good idea to make adjustments based on your own observations of your garden.
When is the best time to buy peonies from your local florist?
The peony is undoubtedly one of our favorite flowers. Every spring, it brings joy to mothers and floral design enthusiasts alike. At Sessile.fr, we gently advocate for flower lovers to treat themselves while respecting the natural seasonality of flowers.
As we’ve mentioned, peonies generally bloom from April through June. Some artisan florists offer herbaceous peonies—the most famous being Paeonia lactiflora— as early asmid-March. So it’s during the warmer months that the most mesmerizing varieties grace the displays of artisan florists, offering a palette of colors ranging from pure white to deep red, including pastel shades.
When you buy your bouquet of Pentecost roses, look for peonies that are just beginning to bloom, revealing a hint of bright color at their center.
While the prices at big-box stores may be tempting, don’t be fooled: supermarket flowers are undeniably of lower quality. They’re smaller, less plump, and less fragrant, and they’ll wilt faster than those bought from your local florist!
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.
