Gardeners urged to make simple change to peonies and watch them thrive
Peonies are a vibrant and full flower that, once in bloom, transforms any outdoor space. But they aren’t in season for long so enthusiasts will try anything to prolong their lifespan.
Peonies are known for their bright colours in shades of cream, pink and yellow and their eye-catching blooms can instantly elevate the aesthetic of any garden. Typically, these flowers bloom from late April to mid-June, which means they don’t last all summer.
But now a gardening expert has shared a method to make them look much more vibrant, if that was even possible. Flower specialist Sam Arthurs, from House Digest, said that paying attention to the soil where the peony is planted will make a huge difference once it blooms. He said: “They will grow in a variety of soil conditions. The two extreme cases to avoid would be very sandy soil and heavy clay soil. These two environments are tricky for most plants.” When considering soil types, sandy soil is often seen as the easiest to work with due to its texture, which allows water to drain quickly and dries out faster. However, this also means that sandy soil tends to be lower in nutrients, making it less ideal for growing plants like peonies.
In comparison to clay soil, it drains slowly after rain, making it richer in nutrients as it holds onto more water. Nonetheless, it’s harder to work with and can take longer to warm up during the spring. Sam advised to amend the soil to a depth and width of a couple of feet for healthier root growth: “Go a couple feet deep and wide, allowing for the roots to grow in amended soil.” By doing this, it will improve the quality of the soil.
Amendments to the soil is common garden maintenance, as it makes it easier for some types of soils to hold water, providing plants with the essential nutrients that plants need to thrive. However, this also depends on the type of soil as Sam warned about the “clay blow effec” when adding amendments to clay soil. He said: “Wide and deep enough to keep the impenetrable clay from holding the water around the root ball.”
Sam recommended adding comport or peat moss to improve this. If you’re still yet to plant the peonies, make the soil mix for a better drainage by adding perlite, peat moss or coco choir, which helps enhance the soil’s structure and promote healthy root development.
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