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Planting, Growing, and Caring for Peony Flowers
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I so badly want to grow more prone plants, I want to use the seed pods that are left after the petals fall off. Are these the pods? If not, where are they? How do I prepare them for fall planting? Can they be started indoors? Is there a way to keep them through the winter for future planting? I live in the Rocky Mountains of Montana at 4800ft. Please and thank you, sincerely appreciated!!
Hi Lisa,
The pods that remain on your peonies will contain seeds. You can collect the seeds when the pods turn dark brown and slightly crack open. To make sure that you don’t lose seeds to birds or weather, tie nylon or small mesh bags around maturing seed pods before they split open to catch any seeds that may fall. Ripe seeds can be planted immediately after collection. Peony seeds require a warm/cold cycle to produce their first true leaves in the spring. In nature, seeds are dispersed on warm late summer to autumn days and quickly germinate. By winter, they form small roots. They are then dormant during the winter before emerging in the spring.
Press peony seeds into the ground at no more than a 1/2 inch depth. Then cover with an inch of wood chips to provide protection.
You can certainly dry and save seeds for future planting, but dry seed takes longer to hydrate than fresh seed and dormancy is more difficult to break.
Hope this helps!
Two newly planted peonies have wilted and lost their leaves. My husband says they will come back in the spring. Will that?
Can you grow them in a large pot outdoors in the winter. I live in Fulton, MO.
I’m not sure where you live, but it’s well past peony season in most of the country. Peonies bloom in the spring.
They are wilting due to the hot summer sun and the stress of planting, making this an unsuitable time for them.
If they establish, they bloom every spring. Please see our guide above for the best time to plant and other info.
We are moving in a and I would like to take my peonies with me, what is the best way to go about potting the plant?
September is the best time to dig up peonies—after they stop growing and before they go dormant. Here is more info on transplanting a peony: https://www.almanac.com/when-and-how-transplant-peonies Be sure to cut them stems down before you transfer to the pot or a hole in the ground.
The pods that form after the flower can we collect them and sow them to make more . I have other flowers that have pods on them too that I planted from a bulb. Wondering if I could replant. Thank you
After the flowers pods form. What should I do with them? Do they need to be cut off or are they forming seeds and can they be planted to start a new plant? My yellow peonies are absolutely gorgeous and huge. I love them.
Your article was very informative. Thank you.