Beth Ellen Doran, Iowa Master Gardener
As we approach Memorial Day, I have fond memories of helping my mother decorate the graves of veterans and family members with homegrown peonies, iris and bridal wreath carefully arranged in freshly painted cans.
Today, this tradition continues in my family with most of the original plants providing the flowers. In fact, Mother’s peonies have survived more than 70 years with minimal attention – truly a test to their hardiness and endurance.
Peonies rank highly with me. They sport large, colorful blooms in shades of pink, red and white on deep-green, leathery foliage. They have the sweetest fragrance. And with care, peony bouquets can last up to three weeks.
There are three types of peonies – herbaceous, tree and Itoh – but herbaceous peonies (like my mother grew) are most common. Herbaceous peonies are the bushy mounds that die back to the ground in winter. Flower forms include single, semi-double, double, Japanese and anemone, but double flower is most popular.
Herbaceous peonies grow in zones 3-8 and require full sun and well-drained soil. Care is easy. Plants do not require regular division and are relatively pest and disease resistant. Young plants should be watered moderately, but as plants age, drought tolerance improves. However, if the weather is dry, watering will enable buds to form and flower.
What are the drawbacks? Ants are commonly seen on peony blooms, but do not affect plant health. Gentle shaking of the cut flower may dislodge them. But if you desire pollinators, give up the showy double-flower forms for more open, single flower blooms that allow pollinators to better access nectar and pollen.
As for care, large heavy blooms may require wire stakes with rings. Also, flowers should be deadheaded as they wither and dry. This will conserve the plant’s energy and allow the peony to achieve the best flower display the following year.
For more information, “Growing Garden Peonies” may be downloaded from https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/4709 or “Growing Peonies in Iowa” can be found at https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-peonies-iowa.
Whatever you do this Memorial Day, please remember to honor the veterans who have provided us with the freedom we enjoy daily.