Peonies

Buying Peonies?

Peonies are a beautiful addition to any garden. Their full, lush flowers in pink, white, or red truly bring a festive touch! Because that's the beauty of peonies: they return year after year, each time a little fuller and more impressive than the season before.

Why buy peonies from Bulbs4You?

At Bulbs4You, you'll find high-quality peonies, sourced directly from the Bollenstreek (Dutch Flower Bulb Region). Each year, we carefully select the most beautiful varieties to ensure you receive a healthy, strong tuber.

You can easily order online and receive your peonies within 4 working days, with free shipping on orders over €70. This means you can start planting in just a few days and then enjoy the beautiful colors that peonies bring.

When to buy and plant peonies?

Peonies last for years, making it worthwhile to carefully consider when and how to plant them. The best time to plant peonies? Autumn, between September and November. The soil still retains enough warmth for the roots to establish, while the plant can peacefully overwinter above ground. Those who plant in autumn have the greatest chance of blooming in the very first year. We recently wrote an extensive blog on this topic.

How deep should you plant peonies? That's the most important tip we can give you: not too deep. The "eyes" of the rootstock should be planted a maximum of 3 to 5 cm below the soil surface.

How to care for peonies?

Peonies have a reputation for being demanding, but in reality, that's not the case. They require a good start and a permanent location, then they mostly take care of themselves.

• The right spot is everything: Choose a sunny to lightly shaded spot with loose, well-draining soil. Peonies don't like wet feet.
• Water regularly: During dry periods, give the plant a good watering once or twice a week, preferably at the base and not over the flowers.
• Ensure contamination: A little compost in spring is sufficient. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, which stimulate leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
• Remove spent flowers: Snip off withered flowers immediately so the plant puts its energy into new buds and the rootstock. 

Combining peonies in the garden

Do you want to combine peonies beautifully with other plants or flowers? Good choice. We recommend thinking about bloom time and color, ensuring that there's always something to see in your border, even after the peony has finished blooming.

Peonies primarily bloom in May and June. Therefore, combine them with plants that take over later in the season, such as dahlias, geraniums, or echinacea. These will seamlessly fill the border once the peonies have finished blooming.

Order peonies from the Bollenstreek

At Bulbs4You, you'll find a carefully selected assortment of 15 peony varieties, fresh from the grower in the Bollenstreek. You can easily order online, with free shipping on orders over €70 and delivery within 4 working days. As always, a handwritten thank-you card and a personal surprise will accompany your order.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Peonies

Do peonies come back every year? 

Yes, peonies come back every year, and that's exactly what makes them so special. They are true perennials that re-emerge and bloom year after year, often for decades. They even become fuller and more floriferous with age.

Why isn't my peony blooming?

The most common reason a peony doesn't bloom is being planted too deeply. The "eyes" of the rootstock should be no more than 3 to 5 cm below the soil surface. Other causes include too little sun, too much nitrogen-rich fertilizer, or a plant that is still too young.

Are peonies poisonous to cats or dogs?

Peonies are mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Ingesting leaves or flowers can lead to stomach upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. Peonies are not dangerous to humans, although some people may have a sensitive reaction to the sap upon skin contact. If you have pets that like to sniff around in the garden, keep this in mind when choosing a planting spot.

How many peonies do I need for a beautiful border?

For a beautiful border, three to five peonies are often sufficient, especially if you combine them with other perennials. If you want a full, lush look, plant them in groups of three, possibly in different colors or bloom times.