- 1). Draw a diagram of your yard and include immovable objects such as driveways, pathways, the perimeters of your house, swimming pools and any sheds. Garden and tree peonies do not like to be moved; therefore, it is important that you plant them in the best place the first time around. Indicate on your diagram areas that receive full sun or sun six to eight hours a day, which will be suitable for peonies.
- 2). Grab a handful of soil from the sites where you wish to plant peonies. Peonies cannot tolerate poorly draining soil. Squeeze the soil. If the soil crumbles, it is too dry and most likely consists of sand. Add 1 inch of sphagnum moss to the soil and till it into the first 6 inches of soil. Soil that is malleable in the hand has adequate drainage. If the soil releases water droplets, it has poor drainage. Amend the soil with 3 inches of both compost and builder's sand. Work the soil amendments into the first 6 inches of soil.
- 3). Press four stakes into the perimeters of the proposed garden bed. Tie a string from stake to stake. Step back and check out the design of the bed. You can create straight-lined flowerbeds or allow the flowerbed to flow with your natural terrain.
- 4). Place the peonies in nursery containers within the garden bed. Step back to see if you like their placement. Peonies need 3 to 4 feet between them in order to have enough air circulation.
- 5). Dig a hole that is twice the size of each plant's root ball and at the same depth as the plant has been planted in the container. Place the plant inside the hole and pack soil around its roots.
- 6). Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the peony to lock in moisture and keep weeds at bay. Continue planting your peonies. Remove the stakes when finished.
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