There’s something undeniably magical about peonies. With their lush, romantic blooms, captivating fragrance, and graceful foliage, these long-lived perennials have earned a treasured place in gardens around the world.

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In my garden, they are consistent. If I look through the June peony photos on my phone, the plants always bloom within days of the same date each year. Once established, peonies will bloom reliably each year, providing beautiful flowers in the spring. 

Whether you’re new to growing peonies or simply want to care for your established plants with confidence, this article will walk you through everything you need to know—from planting and dividing to defending them from underground pests like gophers.

Table of Contents

• Why Gardeners Love Peonies
• Understanding the Peony’s Underground Root System
• When and How to Plant Peonies
• Caring for Peonies Through the Seasons
• How and When to Divide Peonies
• Protecting Peonies from Gophers

Why Gardeners Love Peonies

Peonies are a gardener’s dream: bold, beautiful, romantic, and yet surprisingly low maintenance once established. Their blooms range from tight pom-pom doubles to elegant singles, in colors from delicate blush to deep crimson. Most varieties bloom in late spring to early summer, adding a show-stopping moment to the garden. Even after flowering, the rich green foliage offers texture and structure throughout the season, and in many regions, peonies can live for decades—sometimes even outlasting the gardener who planted them.

Understanding the Peony’s Underground Root System

Peonies are known for their deep, fleshy, tuberous root systems, which are crucial to their longevity and ability to bloom year after year. These roots store energy through the growing season and help the plant survive harsh winters, dry spells, and periods of dormancy.

What Do Peony Roots Look Like?

Peony roots resemble a cluster of thick, carrot-like tubers, often with pink or red “eyes” (buds) emerging near the crown. These eyes are the growth points that will send up new shoots each spring. A healthy root system is:

• Firm, not mushy or dry
• Light tan to reddish in color
• Well-developed with several eyes visible

Roots grow deep and wide, and peonies generally dislike being disturbed once established. It’s not uncommon for well-cared-for peonies to stay in one spot for 20–50 years or more!

When and How to Plant Peonies

When to Plant

Peonies are best planted in fall—typically from late September to early November, depending on your region. Fall planting allows the roots to establish before winter dormancy, setting the stage for spring growth.

How to Plant

Peonies prefer:

• Full sun (at least 6 hours daily). Ideally the soil itself would be sunny in the spring during a peony’s growth period and shaded during the hottest part of the summer to retain moisture.
• Well-draining soil, rich in organic matter
• Space to grow (3–4 feet apart)

Steps to plant bare-root peonies:

1. Dig a wide, shallow hole, about 18 inches across and 12 inches deep.
2. Mix compost or aged manure into the soil.
3. Position the root so the “eyes” (small pink/red buds) sit no more than 1 to 2 inches below the surface. Planting too deep is a common cause of failure to bloom.
4. Backfill gently and water well.

Avoid planting in spots with heavy shade, heavy clay, or soggy soil—these conditions can lead to rot and underperformance.

Why Planting Depth Matters

The depth of the root crown at planting is critical. If you plant the peony root too deep (more than 2 inches of soil covering the eyes), it may grow leaves but fail to bloom—a common frustration for new growers. The ideal depth:

• 1–2 inches of soil above the topmost eye in cooler climates
• 1 inch or less in warmer climates where winters are mild

A correctly planted root will establish quickly and begin blooming in its second or third year.

Caring for Peonies Through the Seasons

Spring & Summer:

• Mulch lightly to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from the crown.
• Water during dry spells, especially in the first few years.
• Support tall varieties with cages or rings to prevent floppy stems.
• Deadhead spent blooms to redirect energy to the roots (not necessary for plant health, but keeps things tidy).

Fall:

• After the first frost, cut back foliage to the ground and dispose of it (don’t compost) to reduce disease risk.
• Apply a thin layer of compost around the base to feed the roots.

Caring for the Roots Over Time

Because so much of a peony’s success relies on the health of its root system, consider these best practices:

• Avoid overwatering: Too much water can cause root rot, especially in clay soil.
• Loosen soil deeply before planting to allow for expansion.
• Top-dress annually with compost, but don’t bury the crown.
• Don’t divide too often: Peonies prefer to be left undisturbed unless they’re overcrowded or declining.

How and When to Divide Peonies

Peonies don’t need frequent dividing, but you may want to do so if:

• Your plant has stopped blooming reliably.
• The center of the clump has died out.
• You want to share with a friend or expand your garden.

When:

Fall is the ideal time to divide—after the plant has gone dormant.

How:

1. Dig up the entire root ball gently.
2. Wash off soil to see the eyes and root structure clearly.
3. Use a clean knife to divide the root into sections with at least 3 to 5 eyes per clump.
4. Replant promptly, using the same planting method as above.

Protecting Peonies from Gophers

Why Roots Need Protection from Below

Peony roots are a tempting treat for gophers and other underground pests. Their starchy, dense texture makes them vulnerable to gnawing damage, which can stunt or kill the plant. If you’re in a gopher-prone area, protecting the root system with hardware cloth baskets or underground mesh barriers at planting time is one of the most effective ways to ensure your peony’s long-term health.

Gophers are one of the few pests that can truly damage or destroy peonies by chewing on their thick, tuberous roots. Here’s how to protect your investment:

Prevention Tactics:

• Plant in wire baskets: When planting new peonies, place them inside a root-guard basket made of hardware cloth (1/4″ mesh). This allows roots to grow but keeps gophers out.
• Underground barriers: If you’re creating new beds in a gopher-prone area, consider lining the bottom and sides of the bed with hardware cloth before filling with soil.
• Use gopher repellents: Castor oil granules or garlic-based sprays can help deter gophers, though they are only somewhat effective and do require regular reapplication. Remember that repellents are deterrents and not barriers, and are best used in conjunction with a barrier. So if you have a single prize plant, you may wish to opt for a one-two punch.

Other Options:

• Trapping: In persistent cases, humane trapping may be necessary.
• Encourage natural predators like owls or gopher snakes to keep gopher populations in check.

Final Thoughts

Peonies may take a bit of patience to establish, but once they do, they’ll reward you with decades of spectacular blooms and garden elegance. From careful planting and division to protection from underground threats, a little effort goes a long way in ensuring your peonies remain the stars of your spring and early summer landscape.

Whether you’re nurturing a century-old heirloom or planting your first bare root, caring for peonies is a rewarding endeavor—and one that connects you to generations of gardeners who have cherished these blooms before you.