You can improve the quality of your soil by adding compost and an all purpose fertilizer at planting time. When transplanting a peony, it can take three to four years for it to become reestablished and bloom abundantly. While you can divide most perennials any time from spring to fall, those two seasons are best. But as a basic rule of thumb plants that bloom in the spring divide in the fall and plants that bloom in the fall divide in the spring. Sometimes, however, it becomesnecessary to move established peonies. You seldom hear someone complain about a big, fragrant peony blooming in spring. You’ll find the clump is huge and heavy, with long carrot-shaped roots reaching irreguarly out in all directions. Peonies shaded by largetrees or shrubs bloom poorly and should be moved to a sunny site.Large, old plants may become overcrowded and flower poorly. have been cultivated in landscapes around the world for thousands of years and can grow in your own garden for almost a century, without ever needing to be divided. For years hybridizers were unsuccessful at crossing the two until a Japanese nurseryman finally got it right. Although peonies can be transplanted in the spring, the survival rate is low and those that do make it may not bloom for two years or more. Early spring through early summer is a great time to divide most perennials. When should you divide perennials? Remove the mulch prior to the growing season in the spring. Large,old plants should be dug, divided, and transplanted to improveperformance. This allows the transplants to establish their roots long before the following winter’s frosts. I mean you can probably divide them in the spring if you don't want to see them bloom this year. since the peonies are really a spring bloomer I would divide after they bloom or in the fall. All peonies hate “wet feet”, so good drainage is important. This is because dividing your perennials can be stressful on the plants—and they'll recover better from the shock in cool, moist conditions. Finally, intersectional peonies are a cross between tree and herbaceous peonies. It is easy to locate the plants that need dividing. There is less gardening work to do in the fall compared with spring. ), Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale) and Siberian iris (Iris siberica) are best divided in the fall. Fall is the better time and proper siting is crucial. Avoid planting in areas where the soil is soggy or compacted. Unlike many perennials you can divide by just digging out a chunk from the outside of the clump to move elsewhere, thus causing minimal disturbance to the mother plant, when you divide peonies, it’s wisest to dig the whole thing up. WHEN TO PLANT: Bareroot peonies can be planted in spring or fall. You can expect blooms from these beauties in the spring. If you don’t get around to dividing peonies this fall, you can divide them in spring as soon as the soil is workable. More about fall gardening: Plant bulbs this fall Peonies (Paeonia spp.) You often hear, however, gardeners bemoaning the retail price of a new peony plant. Don’t worry if the flowers seem a bit sparse the first spring after moving established peonies. Peonies can be leftundisturbed for many years. The plants are not frost tender, so they can … Early fall is another great time to divide perennials, especially peonies. Divide spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall because. 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