Thank you, Suzanne. They are beautiful again this year and there are so many more too. :) Thank you also for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard www.WisconsinGarden.com
Your blue and white streaked iris is called. ' Batik ' award winning iris and readily available online. On of my faces. Dark almost black ' Before The Storm ' is my fave. Great contrast with pink and Apricot flowers and companion oxe eye or Shasta daisies.
That one is one of my all time favorites. It got Iris bore last fall, so I hope I have saved it for the future. Thanks for the names. Thanks for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard - www.WisconsinGarden.com
Hi Linda. Yes, they smell delicious and of course they require cold weather to bloom. Richard always talks about the warm brown winters in San Angelo and the 1" snowfall that shut down the entire city, but melted by early afternoon. Funny since this morning another 3" fell here. At least is light and fluffy. Thank you for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard - See much more at: www.WisconsinGarden.com
We have no idea of how that could happen. At least you now have a white iris to grace your garden. Thanks for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard
Cris Anderson Know if they could only develop real flowers that never die or staggered their bloom throughout the entire growing season. I wonder if we would appreciate them as much if they did. Always a joy to discover their beauty when they pop out each spring. TKS Lynn & Richard
Yes, the Iris starting blooming last week and most of the peonies will be in full bloom this week. Will include their updates in our upcoming June Garden Tour videos. Thanks again for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
Was checking my peonies. The buds are about to open but the ants are destroying the buds. I know they help the peonies but these ants have a red brown thorax. I wish I could send pictures. Help!!!
Good morning Venus. The ants are only after the nectar, so it's normal to see lot of ant activity on Peonies. While ants on the buds and flowers can be a nuisance, they really do no harm . Once the bloom is complete, ants will disappear from peony flowers and move on to find a food source elsewhere. Remember to shake off the blossom thoroughly before bring the bouquet into the house. We'd like to share our free, useful and helpful index guide to all of our garden videos listed by topic of interest, from A-Z. Currently, it's a 21-page Word-doc Directory with direct hotlinks to our first 950 garden videos for easy access, day or night. Want a free copy? Email me at: lynn@WisconsinGarden.com and add 'A-Z' in your message. NOTE: We respect your privacy and do not SPAM or share information provided to us with anyone! Thank you for watching, caring and sharing. Your garden friends from Wisconsin. Lynn & Richard - See all of our latest garden videos on our website: www.WisconsinGarden.com.
Hola Sandra. Wisconsin Garden es un blog educativo donde simplemente compartimos lo que estamos haciendo en nuestros jardines experimentales eclécticos. Agradecemos que lo vea, cuide y comparta. Lynn y Richard - www.WisconsinGarden.com
JamCanGurl Thanks, we will probably enjoy our more now that we've moved some of the giant bleeding hearts that quickly cover them up just around the time they are in full bloom. You will probably find some bargains available but the selections may be limited. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
snookie65 Just wait until next year and all the following years as it grows and expands its blooms. So happy you were able to see yours bloom this year. Have Kevin start a documentary on its magnificent journey. TKS Lynn & Richard
Just wanted to let you (Lynn and Richard) that my partner and I build our 4 ft v 4 ft raised bed. We planted some tomatoes and 3 varieties of peppers. We also did another long pots of cherry tomatoes. (I really love tomatoes) haha. You were one of my inspirations when I first got my african violet, and now I have a nice small garden !
BennMolina Fantastic. We know you are going to love eating fresh tomatoes from the vine. You will become so spoil it will break your heart to have to buy the tasteless ones in the store when the snow flies (assuming like us, you live in a cold climate zone). We are so happy for what you've started. Now the real work begins taking care and protecting your plants. Have fun and learn a lot. TKS Lynn & Richard
I just LOVE your videos!! Please keep them coming. I do have a question. I'm in zone 4 and have a few iris plants...they obviously have gone by now being July but the green is getting a bit ratty. Can I cut them down to the ground or should I leave them alone??
Mamey Brown Hi Mamey - Great question. You may want to watch our next video called Deheading - ruclips.net/video/GdeNvFlNEmo/видео.html. This is the time of year you need the leaves to collect and store energy back into the tubers. For now just cut off all the old flower blossoms or the energy will go to seed and not the tubers. If you cut them down to the ground you could end up killing them. Once the leaves turn brown then you can trim the entire plant down to about 6" leaving the stems sticking up above ground. We do this so that the stems can collect fall leaves and provide a little winter blanket layer. Then in early spring we cut all the old stems away, clean up the entire plant area, and put everything in the compost pile to recycle. If your peony bed is starting to get overgrown, you may want to consider dividing them in dearly fall rather than spring. Just remember to keep them watered so that they start rooting. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
***** Every fall we add 4-6 inches of shredded lead mulch and then top it off with chunks of hardwood mulch we receive from local tree services who are happy to give it away for free. Saves them a tree. (Caution - Avoid accepting any willow and ash tree mulch - prefer maple and oak when available). TKS Lynn & Richard
I have a peony (I think its called Sarah Bernhardt. Four years ago we did some major landscaping and I had to dig it up and I put it in a very large pot, thinking I could overwinter it in the container. We live in zone 5. For the past 4 years I only got a couple of inches of foliage and that was it. I just planted annuals around it in the pot. This year it has grown tall and has 2 buds on it. I am so excited cause one of the buds is ready to open and is quite large. What do you think I should do for it regarding fertilizer to ensure it keeps blooming year after year. I don't think they need much fertilizer normally but this plant has been so stressed. I am afraid to move it out of the pot into the ground cause it may just die. Any help you can give would be appreciated.
Maisie C Heart`s Content The potential long-term problem could be the container or the depth at which they were planted. Once transplanted it often takes a couple of years to really develop a strong root system, stems and blossoms. Seeing that peonies are not something people normally eat, most organic and even chemical fertilizers will help restore nutrients to the soil. Whatever you plant around them could also be zapping the energy from the roots. We prefer organic. Keep in mind that you really don't need to winterize peonies in a container unless it's something extremely special or a specimen plant that cannot tolerate cold weather and something you're going to move back into a shed or garage. Exposing their roots during freezing winters may end up damaging your root system even in a large container. Most peonies are very hardy even for us growing them in zone 5 do extremely well year after year in the ground. About every 5 years or so, we do did ours up and divide them. Seeing that yours now has some growth and blossoms is a good sign that some roots are trying to fully develop in your container. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
Do you think I should just leave it in the container now that it has come back to blooming or should I return it to the ground. I could move the container into a shed that I have but it is unheated.
Maisie C Heart`s Content Put it back in the ground this fall and make sure the bud eyes are not more than 1 or 2 below the surface.....can't grow peonies in pots...won't work
Maisie C Heart`s Content If possible put them back into a ground area. I think they will be much happier than in a pot. Keep your pot for color annual, thrillers, fillers, & spillers. TKS Lynn & Richard
Interesting. We have never seen any evidence that the soil pH would cause an iris blossom to fade or change color like that of a Hydrangea. Thanks again for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard
+Corey Smothers - It's doubtful that a bare root peony would bloom in its first two years. They need to get their roots fully established in the soil. Depending upon your type of soil, you may want to proportionally add peat moss to a rich aged composted soil mixture to help them develop a strong and healthy root system. The stronger the root system the longer your flowers will last and the more flowers will bloom. One of the biggest problems is poorly drained soil that will kill plant roots.. Mound them 12-18" above ground level if this is a problem. These are normally fall September plantings that require at least 6 weeks of below freezing weather just like apple trees. They also need to be planted were they receive as much sun, or filtered sun, as possible. Before planting, soak the bare roots for 20-30 minutes, then dig a hole deep enough for the roots without bending them. The healthier the soil, the better chances of establishing a beautiful plant that will bring you delightful blossoms. Keep us posted. Thanks for watching and sharing your comment. Lynn & Richard
I was just wondering because I purchased one a couple of weeks ago and it is already coming up out of the ground. I did add peat moss and some cow manure to the soil and I don't ever have a problem with my soil draining. Thanks for the help you guys are the best!! The type is sarah bernhardt peony.
+Corey Smothers - I should have asked if it was a clump from a neighbor or if it was truly a bare root specimen you were purchasing. As mentioned, most peonies need that cold spell to properly develop and perhaps you may have blooms this year or next, depending on the specie, and even hybrids. Our tree peonies will take several years before the woody stock is strong enough to even support blossoms. This is where the patience of the gardener comes through. One of Rick's favorite quotes is "The Oxen Are Slow But The Earth Is Patient." Thanks again for sharing. Lynn & Richard
please help. live in zone 7, GA have planted peonies 3 years ago with no flowers still. plants come up just don't flower. planted on all sides of house so some get morning sun and some get afternoon sun. planted eyes 2 inches deep. use slow release fert. don't know what else to do.
+terri e - Here's a great article that addresses some reasons why your peonies may not bloom. Hope you find this helpful.Keep us posted once you decide what you need to do. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & RichardPeonies are staples in Midwest landscapes. They are easy-to-grow, long-lived, and reliable performers in the garden. However, when they do not bloom well, those of us in extension are often inundated with calls, emails, etc. There are several possible causes for failure to bloom. If the buds do not appear (which is normally the case) some possible causes are:1. Planted in too much shade. Peonies need at least 4-6 hours of direct sun to bloom well.2. Recently divided or transplanted. Peonies that are moved or divided in late summer rarely bloom well, if at all, the following spring. Sometimes it will take 2 to 3 years for plants to re-establish well enough in their new location to bloom well again.3. Planted too deeply. When planting, position peony buds 1 to 2 inches below the surface of the soil. Nobody knows how they know if it is 2 inches versus 4 inches, but they do! When a peony is planted too deeply, it may have beautiful foliage, but few (if any) flowers.4. Fertilized too much. Peonies that receive excessive amounts of nitrogen rarely flower well regardless of site. Nitrogen promotes foliar growth at the expense of flowers.5. Clumps too large? Some references state that large, old clumps may not bloom well. However, I have seen several large plants in the Midwest that seem to bloom beautifully year after year. I would imagine that a clump would have to be several decades old before it would fail to bloom. If a clump is considered too large or possibly too old, this is easily remedied by dividing the plant in late summer as a means of rejuvenation. 6. Plants are too young. If a clump can be too old - then the possibility exists that it can be too young as well. While most peonies that are sold are not typically grown from seed, there are some avid gardeners that successfully attempt this process. Plants grown from seed take about 4 to 5 years to mature and ultimately bloom. 7. Premature removal of foliage. Removal of the plant foliage in July or August will weaken the plant resulting in fewer flowers.If buds appear - but fail to open, some other possible causes include:1. Late freeze. A hard freeze in May (much like the one we had last year) may damage or destroy the flower buds. Fortunately, this doesn't happen often.2. Other extreme weather conditions. Extremely dry conditions in summer may weaken plants and result in fewer flowers the following season.3. Fungal diseases. Botrytis blight or other fungal pathogens infrequently attack the flower buds, primarily when conditions are cool and wet. For prevention, the best practices are removing the dead buds in late spring and removing any diseased foliage at the end of the growing season. 4. Insect pests. Also on rare occasions, thrips or other insect pests can damage and distort flower buds and thus reduce flowering. Insecticides are usually ineffective since the damage is often done early in the season.5. Undernourished. This is another rarity in most Iowa soils. Plants that are growing poorly (weak, spindly, yellowish or "off-color") are not vigorous enough to bloom (but may set buds). Transplanting into a more favorable location and fertilizing lightly after establishment would be beneficial. That's it. The most common reasons peonies fail to bloom are cultural (planting in too much shade and planting too deeply). Remember that peonies are tough and often survive for many years in "not so ideal" sites. However, if they fail to bloom one year - watch out - everyone notices! Resource: www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2006/4-19/peonies.html
NOW yer talk'in.....Great peonies....the pink one is "Paula Faye"....Think those are asiatic lillies not daylilies.....Lynn i think you need to sell me a few of those purple Kool-aid Irises
SuperWoodyboy We thought you'd enjoy this update knowing how much you love peonies and lilies. You're welcome to stop by and we'll gladly share some with you. TKS Lynn & Richard
The taller lily foliage looks like Oriental lilies. The thick leaf mold mulch may give them stem rot in spring so move the mulch away when you cage them. I have to protect mine from munching bunnies as well. Milorganite fertilizer keeps them at bay too.
***** What color changes are you seeing? Did you move them to a different area? Is it just some or all that have changed color? If it's just a few like ours, it's because we transplanted ours with others. We could remove them but we enjoy the mix. Keep a log and take pictures to see if this happens again next year.
Cris Anderson Unfortunately, this peony came with our house 37 years ago so we don't know it's official name. It is amazing this year, over 100 stalks were deadheaded this weekend after several rain storm. Rick just produced that video and will be releasing it perhaps as early as tomorrow. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
WisconsinGarden Did the green of the plant come back? If not I will send another bunch in September. It may take another year for them to bloom after transplanting. Your iris and peonies look spectacular! The rain has not helped our peonies keep their blooms, but the grass sure is green :) The peonies produced so fast, I did not have time to put a cage around them to prop them up. They were blooming before school was out, which is unusual. We had wonderful iris blooms last year of our different varieties, but not very much this year. Victory against the rabbits! Humans: 1 Rabbits: 1 You both have such a nice yard. I hope we can come to see it at the end of July.
Sarah Miller Rick just finished producing his latest video on Deadheading all the Iris & Peony plants seen on this video not that we've had several rain storms. While a few still survive. we truly enjoyed their color and fragrance for the past couple of weeks. One bush alone had over 100 branches that I counted as I deadheaded them. A gardener's work is never done. Oh well, it's still worth it and much quicker every time Rick pitches in after putting the camera down. I let him carry everything to the compost bin which is really starting to fill up quickly. TKS Lynn & Richard
Just beautiful!
Thank you, Suzanne. They are beautiful again this year and there are so many more too. :) Thank you also for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard www.WisconsinGarden.com
Your blue and white streaked iris is called. ' Batik ' award winning iris and readily available online. On of my faces. Dark almost black ' Before The Storm ' is my fave. Great contrast with pink and Apricot flowers and companion oxe eye or Shasta daisies.
That one is one of my all time favorites. It got Iris bore last fall, so I hope I have saved it for the future. Thanks for the names. Thanks for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard - www.WisconsinGarden.com
Love your peonies.They don’t grow here in south eastern Texas. So I am enjoying yours. Thanks , Linda
Hi Linda. Yes, they smell delicious and of course they require cold weather to bloom. Richard always talks about the warm brown winters in San Angelo and the 1" snowfall that shut down the entire city, but melted by early afternoon. Funny since this morning another 3" fell here. At least is light and fluffy. Thank you for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard - See much more at: www.WisconsinGarden.com
yes it had a white flower on it while digging it
We have no idea of how that could happen. At least you now have a white iris to grace your garden. Thanks for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard
Lovely
***** TKS Lynn & Richard
Just beautiful! My irises are bloomed and gone. I wish they'd bloom a little later
Cris Anderson Know if they could only develop real flowers that never die or staggered their bloom throughout the entire growing season. I wonder if we would appreciate them as much if they did. Always a joy to discover their beauty when they pop out each spring. TKS Lynn & Richard
Beautiful , I hope u give us an update for this year too:)
Yes, the Iris starting blooming last week and most of the peonies will be in full bloom this week. Will include their updates in our upcoming June Garden Tour videos. Thanks again for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
I dug up white iris went home and planted it the next year when it came back it was a lavender color !
We have no explanation. Are you absolutely sure it was a white iris that you dug up and transplanted? TKS Lynn & Richard
Was checking my peonies. The buds are about to open but the ants are destroying the buds. I know they help the peonies but these ants have a red brown thorax. I wish I could send pictures. Help!!!
Good morning Venus. The ants are only after the nectar, so it's normal to see lot of ant activity on Peonies. While ants on the buds and flowers can be a nuisance, they really do no harm . Once the bloom is complete, ants will disappear from peony flowers and move on to find a food source elsewhere. Remember to shake off the blossom thoroughly before bring the bouquet into the house.
We'd like to share our free, useful and helpful index guide to all of our garden videos listed by topic of interest, from A-Z. Currently, it's a 21-page Word-doc Directory with direct hotlinks to our first 950 garden videos for easy access, day or night.
Want a free copy? Email me at: lynn@WisconsinGarden.com and add 'A-Z' in your message. NOTE: We respect your privacy and do not SPAM or share information provided to us with anyone!
Thank you for watching, caring and sharing. Your garden friends from Wisconsin. Lynn & Richard - See all of our latest garden videos on our website: www.WisconsinGarden.com.
Preciosas tus plantas deberias mandarme una de cada flor
Hola Sandra. Wisconsin Garden es un blog educativo donde simplemente compartimos lo que estamos haciendo en nuestros jardines experimentales eclécticos. Agradecemos que lo vea, cuide y comparta. Lynn y Richard - www.WisconsinGarden.com
The color on the Iris is so beautiful. Next year I'm hoping to find a dwarf Iris for my front flower bed.
JamCanGurl Thanks, we will probably enjoy our more now that we've moved some of the giant bleeding hearts that quickly cover them up just around the time they are in full bloom. You will probably find some bargains available but the selections may be limited. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
Absolutely stunning! My neighbors Irises have gone crazy this year too. I did have 1 bloom on my Japanese Peony in the front yard, I was thrilled!
snookie65 Just wait until next year and all the following years as it grows and expands its blooms. So happy you were able to see yours bloom this year. Have Kevin start a documentary on its magnificent journey. TKS Lynn & Richard
Just wanted to let you (Lynn and Richard) that my partner and I build our 4 ft v 4 ft raised bed. We planted some tomatoes and 3 varieties of peppers. We also did another long pots of cherry tomatoes. (I really love tomatoes) haha. You were one of my inspirations when I first got my african violet, and now I have a nice small garden !
BennMolina Fantastic. We know you are going to love eating fresh tomatoes from the vine. You will become so spoil it will break your heart to have to buy the tasteless ones in the store when the snow flies (assuming like us, you live in a cold climate zone). We are so happy for what you've started. Now the real work begins taking care and protecting your plants. Have fun and learn a lot. TKS Lynn & Richard
I just LOVE your videos!! Please keep them coming. I do have a question. I'm in zone 4 and have a few iris plants...they obviously have gone by now being July but the green is getting a bit ratty. Can I cut them down to the ground or should I leave them alone??
Mamey Brown Hi Mamey - Great question. You may want to watch our next video called Deheading - ruclips.net/video/GdeNvFlNEmo/видео.html. This is the time of year you need the leaves to collect and store energy back into the tubers. For now just cut off all the old flower blossoms or the energy will go to seed and not the tubers. If you cut them down to the ground you could end up killing them. Once the leaves turn brown then you can trim the entire plant down to about 6" leaving the stems sticking up above ground. We do this so that the stems can collect fall leaves and provide a little winter blanket layer. Then in early spring we cut all the old stems away, clean up the entire plant area, and put everything in the compost pile to recycle. If your peony bed is starting to get overgrown, you may want to consider dividing them in dearly fall rather than spring. Just remember to keep them watered so that they start rooting. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
could you tell me what you use for mulch? It looks so nice in your beds.
***** Every fall we add 4-6 inches of shredded lead mulch and then top it off with chunks of hardwood mulch we receive from local tree services who are happy to give it away for free. Saves them a tree. (Caution - Avoid accepting any willow and ash tree mulch - prefer maple and oak when available). TKS Lynn & Richard
I have a peony (I think its called Sarah Bernhardt. Four years ago we did some major landscaping and I had to dig it up and I put it in a very large pot, thinking I could overwinter it in the container. We live in zone 5. For the past 4 years I only got a couple of inches of foliage and that was it. I just planted annuals around it in the pot. This year it has grown tall and has 2 buds on it. I am so excited cause one of the buds is ready to open and is quite large. What do you think I should do for it regarding fertilizer to ensure it keeps blooming year after year. I don't think they need much fertilizer normally but this plant has been so stressed. I am afraid to move it out of the pot into the ground cause it may just die. Any help you can give would be appreciated.
Maisie C Heart`s Content The potential long-term problem could be the container or the depth at which they were planted. Once transplanted it often takes a couple of years to really develop a strong root system, stems and blossoms. Seeing that peonies are not something people normally eat, most organic and even chemical fertilizers will help restore nutrients to the soil. Whatever you plant around them could also be zapping the energy from the roots. We prefer organic. Keep in mind that you really don't need to winterize peonies in a container unless it's something extremely special or a specimen plant that cannot tolerate cold weather and something you're going to move back into a shed or garage. Exposing their roots during freezing winters may end up damaging your root system even in a large container. Most peonies are very hardy even for us growing them in zone 5 do extremely well year after year in the ground. About every 5 years or so, we do did ours up and divide them. Seeing that yours now has some growth and blossoms is a good sign that some roots are trying to fully develop in your container. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
Do you think I should just leave it in the container now that it has come back to blooming or should I return it to the ground. I could move the container into a shed that I have but it is unheated.
Maisie C Heart`s Content Put it back in the ground this fall and make sure the bud eyes are not more than 1 or 2 below the surface.....can't grow peonies in pots...won't work
Maisie C Heart`s Content If possible put them back into a ground area. I think they will be much happier than in a pot. Keep your pot for color annual, thrillers, fillers, & spillers. TKS Lynn & Richard
Thanks for all your help.
does the soil have anything to do with color of the iris
Interesting. We have never seen any evidence that the soil pH would cause an iris blossom to fade or change color like that of a Hydrangea. Thanks again for watching, caring and sharing. Lynn & Richard
Do you know if the bare root peony will bloom the first year?
+Corey Smothers - It's doubtful that a bare root peony would bloom in its first two years. They need to get their roots fully established in the soil. Depending upon your type of soil, you may want to proportionally add peat moss to a rich aged composted soil mixture to help them develop a strong and healthy root system. The stronger the root system the longer your flowers will last and the more flowers will bloom. One of the biggest problems is poorly drained soil that will kill plant roots.. Mound them 12-18" above ground level if this is a problem. These are normally fall September plantings that require at least 6 weeks of below freezing weather just like apple trees. They also need to be planted were they receive as much sun, or filtered sun, as possible. Before planting, soak the bare roots for 20-30 minutes, then dig a hole deep enough for the roots without bending them. The healthier the soil, the better chances of establishing a beautiful plant that will bring you delightful blossoms. Keep us posted. Thanks for watching and sharing your comment. Lynn & Richard
I was just wondering because I purchased one a couple of weeks ago and it is already coming up out of the ground. I did add peat moss and some cow manure to the soil and I don't ever have a problem with my soil draining. Thanks for the help you guys are the best!! The type is sarah bernhardt peony.
+Corey Smothers - I should have asked if it was a clump from a neighbor or if it was truly a bare root specimen you were purchasing. As mentioned, most peonies need that cold spell to properly develop and perhaps you may have blooms this year or next, depending on the specie, and even hybrids. Our tree peonies will take several years before the woody stock is strong enough to even support blossoms. This is where the patience of the gardener comes through. One of Rick's favorite quotes is "The Oxen Are Slow But The Earth Is Patient." Thanks again for sharing. Lynn & Richard
please help. live in zone 7, GA have planted peonies 3 years ago with no flowers still. plants come up just don't flower. planted on all sides of house so some get morning sun and some get afternoon sun. planted eyes 2 inches deep. use slow release fert. don't know what else to do.
+terri e - Here's a great article that addresses some reasons why your peonies may not bloom. Hope you find this helpful.Keep us posted once you decide what you need to do. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & RichardPeonies are staples in Midwest landscapes. They are easy-to-grow, long-lived, and reliable performers in the garden. However, when they do not bloom well, those of us in extension are often inundated with calls, emails, etc. There are several possible causes for failure to bloom. If the buds do not appear (which is normally the case) some possible causes are:1. Planted in too much shade. Peonies need at least 4-6 hours of direct sun to bloom well.2. Recently divided or transplanted. Peonies that are moved or divided in late summer rarely bloom well, if at all, the following spring. Sometimes it will take 2 to 3 years for plants to re-establish well enough in their new location to bloom well again.3. Planted too deeply. When planting, position peony buds 1 to 2 inches below the surface of the soil. Nobody knows how they know if it is 2 inches versus 4 inches, but they do! When a peony is planted too deeply, it may have beautiful foliage, but few (if any) flowers.4. Fertilized too much. Peonies that receive excessive amounts of nitrogen rarely flower well regardless of site. Nitrogen promotes foliar growth at the expense of flowers.5. Clumps too large? Some references state that large, old clumps may not bloom well. However, I have seen several large plants in the Midwest that seem to bloom beautifully year after year. I would imagine that a clump would have to be several decades old before it would fail to bloom. If a clump is considered too large or possibly too old, this is easily remedied by dividing the plant in late summer as a means of rejuvenation. 6. Plants are too young. If a clump can be too old - then the possibility exists that it can be too young as well. While most peonies that are sold are not typically grown from seed, there are some avid gardeners that successfully attempt this process. Plants grown from seed take about 4 to 5 years to mature and ultimately bloom. 7. Premature removal of foliage. Removal of the plant foliage in July or August will weaken the plant resulting in fewer flowers.If buds appear - but fail to open, some other possible causes include:1. Late freeze. A hard freeze in May (much like the one we had last year) may damage or destroy the flower buds. Fortunately, this doesn't happen often.2. Other extreme weather conditions. Extremely dry conditions in summer may weaken plants and result in fewer flowers the following season.3. Fungal diseases. Botrytis blight or other fungal pathogens infrequently attack the flower buds, primarily when conditions are cool and wet. For prevention, the best practices are removing the dead buds in late spring and removing any diseased foliage at the end of the growing season. 4. Insect pests. Also on rare occasions, thrips or other insect pests can damage and distort flower buds and thus reduce flowering. Insecticides are usually ineffective since the damage is often done early in the season.5. Undernourished. This is another rarity in most Iowa soils. Plants that are growing poorly (weak, spindly, yellowish or "off-color") are not vigorous enough to bloom (but may set buds). Transplanting into a more favorable location and fertilizing lightly after establishment would be beneficial. That's it. The most common reasons peonies fail to bloom are cultural (planting in too much shade and planting too deeply). Remember that peonies are tough and often survive for many years in "not so ideal" sites. However, if they fail to bloom one year - watch out - everyone notices! Resource: www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2006/4-19/peonies.html
Two inches is too deep. It needs water too.
NOW yer talk'in.....Great peonies....the pink one is "Paula Faye"....Think those are asiatic lillies not daylilies.....Lynn i think you need to sell me a few of those purple Kool-aid Irises
SuperWoodyboy We thought you'd enjoy this update knowing how much you love peonies and lilies. You're welcome to stop by and we'll gladly share some with you. TKS Lynn & Richard
The taller lily foliage looks like Oriental lilies. The thick leaf mold mulch may give them stem rot in spring so move the mulch away when you cage them. I have to protect mine from munching bunnies as well. Milorganite fertilizer keeps them at bay too.
My iris have mutated this year for the first time ever...
***** What color changes are you seeing? Did you move them to a different area? Is it just some or all that have changed color? If it's just a few like ours, it's because we transplanted ours with others. We could remove them but we enjoy the mix. Keep a log and take pictures to see if this happens again next year.
Can you tell me the name of that peony? I think I need one :)
The white with yellow center at the beginning of the video
Cris Anderson Unfortunately, this peony came with our house 37 years ago so we don't know it's official name. It is amazing this year, over 100 stalks were deadheaded this weekend after several rain storm. Rick just produced that video and will be releasing it perhaps as early as tomorrow. Thanks for watching and sharing. Lynn & Richard
Has the Red Hot Poker poked through yet with a bloom? After not blooming last year, we have had 4 or 5 bloom out.
Sarah Miller Not yet, but we're hoping it made it through the winter. We'll keep watching. TKS Lynn & Richard
WisconsinGarden Did the green of the plant come back? If not I will send another bunch in September. It may take another year for them to bloom after transplanting.
Your iris and peonies look spectacular! The rain has not helped our peonies keep their blooms, but the grass sure is green :) The peonies produced so fast, I did not have time to put a cage around them to prop them up. They were blooming before school was out, which is unusual. We had wonderful iris blooms last year of our different varieties, but not very much this year.
Victory against the rabbits! Humans: 1 Rabbits: 1
You both have such a nice yard. I hope we can come to see it at the end of July.
Sarah Miller Rick just finished producing his latest video on Deadheading all the Iris & Peony plants seen on this video not that we've had several rain storms. While a few still survive. we truly enjoyed their color and fragrance for the past couple of weeks. One bush alone had over 100 branches that I counted as I deadheaded them. A gardener's work is never done. Oh well, it's still worth it and much quicker every time Rick pitches in after putting the camera down. I let him carry everything to the compost bin which is really starting to fill up quickly. TKS Lynn & Richard