Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia x lactiflora) are among the easy to care for and long-lived garden perennials. If you plant them correctly in compost rich, well-drained soil and a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight, they will bloom for the next 30+ years. If peonies fail to bloom, here are 8 probable causes:

1. Planting crowns too shallow or too deeply. Proper soil depth from the top of the crown is 2 inches.

2. Proper planting date – plant anytime from late August thru November in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Container plants may be planted anytime and do not to disturb the tender fibrous roots unless badly potbound.

3. Buy strong 3-eyed or more peony crowns from a reliable peony source on-line or local garden shop.

4. Inadequate sunlight – plants full sunlight or at least 6 hours daily (USDA hardiness zones 4-7a). Shade from harsh afternoon sun in zone 7b).

5. Overcrowded plants – Space 3-4 feet apart to prevent plants from competing for light and soil nutrition. Overcrowding increases disease pressure, particularly leaf spot diseases such as Botrytis blight and Phytophthora stem blight. Flower buds do not open, turn black and drop off weeks later.

6. Too much nitrogen fertilizer – Peonies tend to feed constantly through the growing season. A slow release fertilizer applied in late winter is more than adequate.

7. Deficient Phosphorus (P) and/or potassium (K) in the soil. Both nutrients initiate flowering in peonies.

8. Late spring killing frost injure unopened floral buds. Protect tender flower buds by placing a cloth, not plastic, tarp or blanket over plants.