No Brainer

Want a perennial that will 

love you back in many ways,

all for you doing nothing?

Peonies.

Where I come from, they're pronounced pee-oh-nee.

Some say pee-OH-nee.

(Technically, pee-oh-nee is correct.)

Either way, the peony is the queen of the garden, 

and have a long history in Asia and Europe.

Peonies are native all across the northern hemisphere, prefer cooler temps, and thrive in areas with long, cold winters. Woody varieties, mistakenly referred to as tree peonies, have stems that remain in the winter after the leaves have dropped.  They are hardy only to Zone 4.

Herbaceous peonies, the type that die down to the ground in winter,

are hardy in Zone 3 and are the most common types.

Now, I'm going to get all Cliff Claven on you with

Some Interesting Peony Facts

A common question is 'why do peony buds always have ants on them?"

Ants are attracted to the sweet nectar in peony buds, and by crawling over them, they 

help the bud to open.  Ants also keep any other insects at bay, but do not 

aid in pollination. Peonies can self-pollinate.

Peonies naturally come in all colors, except blue.

Pink flowers are more heavily scented than redder flowers.

Peonies petals are edible, so long as you don't douche them with chemicals.  They are dried and used for teas in China, as well as for garnishes in salads and drinks.

Peonies were first valued by the Chinese and Europeans for their medicinal properties,   

 and were used to treat headache, asthma, and childbirth pain. 

 Peonies are regarded as the symbol of good fortune and a happy marriage, 

so are popular in bridal bouquets.

 So, as IF there isn't something to love about every single peony on the planet,

they have a lot more going for them than being beautiful.

Peonies will outlive you.  They can bloom for over 100 years in the same spot.

They are ridiculously immune to plant diseases.

Peonies are essentially deer and rabbit resistant.  

They don't require any fussy maintenance.

Be still, my heart.  The perfect plant.

Within the herbaceous peony category, there are several types:

Itoh

Cross bred between herbaceous and woody peonies in Japan by Dr. Toichi Itoh,  

Itoh peonies are called 'intersectional' and produce

many blossoms like woody peonies, but die back in the fall.

They have strong stems and generally do not require staking.

One of our favorite Itoh peonies is 

Bartzella

Single Blooms

The most basic form of the peony.

Semi Double

Bomb

Anemone

Double

You know you want one (or several) now.  You know you do.

Here's how to Plant a Peony

Select a sunny site with loose, well drained soil.

Peonies will not flower in a spot that is too shady.

Choose your site wisely, peonies develop large root systems and 

are difficult to transplant once they're established.  (But they can be divided.)

Dig the hole 6 inches larger in diameter than the pot the peony is in, and be 

careful to not bury the crown of the plant any lower than it was in the pot, 

or your peony won't bloom.

Keep it watered the first year so the roots can become established, then water only in seriously 

dry conditions in the years to follow.  

Fertilize with tulip food in the spring for more flowers, being careful to spread the fertilizer

around the drip line of the plant, and NOT directly on the crown.  If you don't fertilize them,

they'll still bloom.

Once established, you only have to remove the spent blossoms.  

How could it be any easier?