GardenWizzPlant Care Card

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora · Perennial

Hardiness
H6 Hardy — very cold winter (to −15 to −20°C)
Position
Full sun, Partial shade
Height × Spread
50–100 cm × 50–100 cm
Soil
Fertile, humus-rich; clay, loam or sand — moist but well-drained
Flowering
May–June
Toxicity
Pets (dogs, cats): Skin irritant.

The Gardening Year

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🪴 Plant out
🌸 In flower
✂️ Prune

Watch out for

Peony wilt (Botrytis paeoniae): Remove and burn infected material promptly to reduce spores, and ensure good air circulation around plants.

Slugs and snails: Use physical barriers like copper tape or apply iron phosphate-based pellets around the base of plants.

Powdery mildew: Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and apply a suitable fungicide if infection is severe.

Root rot: Ensure well-drained soil and avoid planting too deeply; lift and divide congested clumps in autumn.

Ants on buds: Leave them alone as they are generally harmless and may help deter aphids; remove only if aesthetically undesirable.

Full guide: gardenwizz.com/plants/chinese-peony © GardenWizz — UK gardening encyclopedia