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How Not To Produce Blooms
Reading and following instructions is always best
Three or four years ago, I purchased a peony in full bloom, gorgeous yellow flowers that were impossible to ignore. Upon arriving home, the yellow peony joined its pink relative in a sunny side garden. The following year I eagerly awaited the arrival of the yellow flowers. None!
The same situation continued for the next two years, a plant with interesting leaves but no blooms. Baffled, I turned to the internet for clues but turned up nothing of note. Or, as it turned out, I skipped over the essential information of planting schedules.
Resigning myself to enjoying the plant’s foliage, I considered adding another pink peony, a reliable bloomer. While scoping out the garden area this week, I noticed tiny buds on the reluctant bloomer. Aha, maybe flowers will appear. The pink peony opened, spread its wide petals out for my visual enjoyment. The yellow peony continued to develop its buds. When the pink peony had shed its blossoms, the yellow one finally opened, and I am currently savoring it.
My late-blooming plant could have resulted from my ignorance. It appears these plants prefer planting, and not very deep in the ground, in the fall. Planting at the wrong time of year may result in no blooms or years of the plant establishing itself. Another important fact when selecting a planting site is peonies dislike transplanting. Choose their home with care and follow planting advice to the letter.
