How to Plant Peonies in Fall to Get a Jumpstart on Spring Flowers

Fall is the best time to plant peonies, especially when starting with bare-root plants. Plus bare-root plants are usually less expensive than potted peonies, and a better selection of varieties is often available. They may not look like much when you plant them, but bare-root peonies often will bloom the first growing season after planting. Find out how and when to plant peonies from bare root successfully with this guide.

Best Time to Plant Peonies

The fall months are the best time to plant peonies. Exactly when to plant depends on your frost timeline. Typically, northern gardeners plant bare-root peonies in the ground in September, and mid-latitude gardeners plant in October or even into early November in the southern reaches of the peony’s range. You’ll want to get your peonies in the ground slightly before planting your fall bulbs.

To find your peony planting window, look for your first frost dates. Then, count backward two to four weeks to find the ideal time for planting. Reputable companies that sell peony rootstock often time their order shipments to arrive just in time for planting, so you don’t have to store them.

Planting in Autumn

Planting in autumn allows the peony to grow fine root hairs and be ready for spring growth without relying on energy stored in the root to survive. According to the American Peony Society, peony root growth is triggered by the cool weather of fall when the soil temperatures drop. Peonies planted in spring do not produce much root growth and struggle to make it through the summer. It’s why peonies planted in spring seem to be a year behind their fall-planted cousins—if they even survive.

Dividing peonies is also best done in the fall. By the end of summer, the peony plant has started to become dormant, even if the foliage is still green. Digging up and dividing peony roots is best done in the fall, and the new divisions should be immediately replanted in newly dug and prepared homes, just as you would do with purchased bare-root peonies.  

Planting in Spring

If you have bare root peonies you forgot to get in the ground in autumn, planting them in spring is better than nothing, but they’ll likely struggle for the first year. You may want to plant them in pots where you can provide extra care through the summer and plant them out in the fall. They’ll need to be kept well watered. However, planting them in any manner is better than leaving them just to dry out and die because at least they have a chance of growing for you.

Loose, well-drained soil amended with compost is ideal for peonies. Dig an area about 18x18 inches and a foot deep. Refill it with native soil and some compost (and even some aged manure) prior to planting. If your soil is already loose and fertile, you can dig a hole only large enough to plant the root. Space new peonies about 3 feet apart. Choose a location with six hours or more of sunshine daily, although dappled afternoon shade is perfect in hot climates.

How Deep to Plant

Unlike a bare root tree or shrub, there is no stem and corresponding soil stain on the bark to let you know how deeply to plant your new peonies. The most common mistake is planting them too deeply, which results in mostly foliage growth and no flowers. 

Plant peony roots with the buds facing up. The top of the buds should be covered with 1 to 2 inches of soil. The thicker part of the root will likely lay downward at an angle. Don’t worry about how deep the rest of the root is; pay attention to the buds.

When Will Newly Planted Peonies Bloom?

Peonies planted in fall often bloom the next growing season. While you may only get one or two blooms that first year, be patient. The plant is settling in and focusing on new root and shoot growth. By year three, your peony should be ready to produce loads of blooms for years to come.

Peonies follow the perennial growth pattern of sleep-creep-leap. They’ll grow a little the first year but won’t seem to do much. The second growing season growth will be noticeable, and you’ll think, OK, that’s better. The third growing season is when they seem to leap to mature size, and really come into their own.