Although peonies are not the first flowers to scented the garden, as they only bloom in late spring or early summer, they are the first to dazzle with their unique fragrance.
If you’re a fan of this beautiful flower, here’s what you need to do to get it to bloom in all its glory in your garden.
Peonies begin to bloom in May and are loved for their pleasant fragrance. But you have to tend them very carefully, otherwise you risk ruining this beautiful plant.
To ensure that the flowers bloom to their full glory, three important steps are needed: proper preparation of the soil, watering and feeding.
Once the bushes have sprouted, dig a hole at the base for watering. Be careful not to use any fertilizer if the plant has not been properly watered and the soil is not moist and soft. You should make sure of this especially if it has not rained in the last few days.
Start feeding after the plants have absorbed all the water. Depending on how dry the soil is, each peony bush may need up to two buckets of water.
Experts recommend nitrogen-based fertilizers and say that NPK fertilizers are particularly important (they contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). The usual ratio is 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of ammonium nitrate per 10 liters of water.
Top tips for peony care
If you don’t want to use commercially available nutrients, experts say that organic materials can be very helpful. So instead of nitrogen, you can opt for natural fertilizers or even grass clippings.
But be careful: after you’ve finished feeding, cover the soil with a layer of humus, compost, straw or peat to make the absorption of nutrients more effective.
Also make sure that when the flowers open, you don’t cut the stems off the plants so that they can bloom again later. Only cut back the stems in mid-September and cover them with clippings or leaves to prevent them from freezing in winter.