Have you had any success growing peonies in the South?

Question

i am looking for any cultivars that might do well along the atlantic coast of north carolina... preferably the garden variety of peony as opposed to the tree version. also any techniques to help them thrive in the absence of a cool winter are much appreciated.

while i wholehearterdly support the growing of native plants and shrubs, i am originally from the upper midwest and i miss the sight and smell of peonies. i've seen a few plants in local gardens, but they look unhappy and small.

are there any success stories out there... any at all?

Answer 1

Yes.  

I'm just up in VA, so it can be done!!  You just need to make sure you have the right kind:  (Paeonia valbiflora or Paeonia officinalis)

This is a great website for you!!

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/h...

From personal experienc:

Peonies here just have a very, very short growing period, and while they want the morning sun, they detest our bright overhead heat lamp!  Planting them on the north side of the house isn't always convenient, but.....mine did fine with shade from about 2:00 on.....

They die off quickly, but ...from personal experience....contrary to what the NC University people say.....as long as mulched and cooled over winter, will be back for their short visit next year!   Maybe its just the way I do it!!

I wait for the first, really cold day, water well, but don't drown and mulch the heck out of it....up to 8 inches of mulch.....just to keep the cool locked in.  Don't continue to water this heavily on purpose though...they can and will rot.  Come the first warm spell in spring, uncover and if not a rainy spring, water again.  There will be another cold snap right behind it, but because it's been warmed and woken, it will then think the next cold snap is actually winter.......plant psychology......it works though.  The wind will knock them out though, and

Good luck, happy gardening, and welcome to the coast......