It was very good to read Gail Harland's article on (Peonies and perfection) in the HPS Summer Journal.
So, refreshing too to read the comment about the common myth of not moving Peonies, in relation to them resenting the process of transplanting, (nonsense) music to my ears!
Gail goes onto write that plants may take a year or two to re -establish.
In my position for ten and a half years in the North Cotswolds as Head Gardener, within that time, I was regularly transplanting/ dividing Peonies within the walled garden area. There was a specific long border area for them, they always looked beautiful for the NGS Open day in May, despite a good number of transplants, re - shaping, re - sorting that area.
Paeonia 'Coral Charm'
Further to Gail's comments, I successfully transplanted them and managed to get them to flower the following year from Autumn transplants. I regularly chose this as a topic of conversation with seasonal gardening groups/ tours.
The soil in that Cotswold garden was a wonderful loamy soil, great for growing, and you could garden on it in the rain without damaging the soil structure. I recall that when I transplanted the Peonies, the key point was to dig around as wide a hole away from the roots. This ensured a good bulk of soil remained intact to the plants root system prior to transplanting each plant into its new area. In addition, I applied a good bucket load of Strulch (Iron Wheat Straw) into the planting hole, this worked wonders!
My philosophy to the gardening groups was that the plants are being moved, but with as much soil intact, they think they're not being moved! Also, key is not to plant too deep, with the basal buds just above the soil.
So, in my experience, Peonies can definitely be transplanted successfully to flower the following year. There really is no substitute for hands on experience.
It's not a plant I'm cultivating at the Lakeside Garden Cumbria, that could be quite a challenge, although specific pocket areas would suit it in this garden.
Kevin Line, Head Gardener/ Plantsman, South Lakes.
Regular Columnist - Hort. Week Industry, Online, Parks & Gardens, Analysis.
