The Peony Lover’s Guide: Grow, Cut and Display

It’s always surprising how much the scenery changes just a few hours from home. A recent day-trip to Hidden Springs Peony Farm in the Driftless Region of southeastern Minnesota, was well-worth the three-hour trip. We spoke with the owner and got tips on how to grow, cut and display these beauties.

As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Beauty under wraps

A cold-snap had delayed blooms a bit, so we early for fully opened peonies. But we did get a front-row glimpse of their rare beauty, ready to spring forth.

As we drove home with our ‘marshmallow’ buds in water, we decided not knowing exactly what was going to bloom only upped our anticipation.

A little bit about peonies

There’s something undeniably magical about peonies. They’re bold and delicate, fleeting and timeless. For flower lovers, gardeners, and anyone seeking a little more joy, beauty, and grounding in nature—peonies are a love affair that never fades.

Whether you’re dreaming of your first peony or expanding a garden that already brings you delight, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know: how to grow peonies, how to display them indoors, pitfalls to avoid, and even where to find meaningful peony-themed gifts.

Where do peonies grow best?

Peonies are surprisingly hardy perennials that return each spring, often for generations. But they do have preferences when it comes to environment and placement.

Ideal Conditions:

USDA Zones: Best in Zones 3–8
Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours per day)
Soil: Well-draining, fertile, slightly alkaline (pH 6.5–7)
Spacing: 3–4 feet between plants
Airflow: Good air circulation helps prevent fungal issues

Peonies don’t like to be crowded. Give them space, both above and below ground, to get the most abundant blooms.

When and how to plant peonies

Fall is the ideal time to plant bare root peonies, but container-grown peonies can also be planted in spring.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide:

Choose a spot with 6–8 hours of sun.
Dig a hole about 12–18 inches wide and deep.
Add compost and a handful of bone meal to the bottom of the hole.
Place the root crown with the “eyes” (buds) facing upward.
- Make sure the eyes are no more than 1–2 inches below the soil.
Backfill, water deeply, and mulch lightly.

Important: If they are planted too deeply, peonies may grow healthy foliage but fail to bloom.

🛒 Recommended Tools:

Peony pitfalls to avoid

Even seasoned gardeners can stumble with peonies. Here’s what not to do:

Don’t plant too deep. (Cannot be emphasized enough!)
Don’t over-fertilize. Especially avoid high nitrogen—this promotes foliage, not flowers.
Avoid poor drainage. Standing water = root rot.
Don’t expect blooms the first year. Peonies take time to establish—your patience will pay off.

How to care for peonies throughout the year

Spring:

Watch for reddish shoots in early spring
Add light compost and mulch around the base

Summer:

Deadhead spent blooms
Water if the season is dry
Use supports to prevent floppy stems

Fall:

Cut foliage back to the ground after it yellows
Clean up debris to prevent disease

Winter:

In Zones 3–5, apply light mulch after the ground freezes
Avoid heavy mulching in mild climates

Types of peonies to consider

Peonies come in various shapes, sizes, and bloom times. Here are popular categories:

Herbaceous peonies

Die back in winter, return in spring
Long-lasting and traditional garden staple

Tree peonies

Woody stems that remain above ground year-round
Larger blooms, earlier flowering

Intersectional (Itoh) peonies

Cross between herbaceous and tree peonies
Strong stems, exotic flowers, long bloom time

Pro tip: Plant a mix of early, mid-season, and late blooming varieties for extended color.

Cutting peonies: When and how

To enjoy peonies indoors, timing is everything.

Look for the “marshmallow stage”:

Bud shows color
Feels soft to the touch
Still closed

Don’t overthink the “marshmallow stage.” It’s exactly what it sounds like. Gently grab the large buds and squeeze. They should feel just the way a marshmallow feels. And it’s uncanny, but buds right next to each other can have vastly different firmness.

On our day-trip, the farm’s owner asked us to please be careful to only cut the ‘marshmallow buds.’ This was easy to do; many of the buds were still too firm.

It’s also best to cut early in the morning, using clean shears. And when you’re ready to put them in a vase, remember to strip the leaves below the water line.

Peony bloom timing

Bloom Time: Typically late May to mid-June, depending on the variety and weather. Southern parts of the state may see earlier blooms; northern areas a bit later
Peak Bloom: Most commonly the first or second week of June

Bud to bloom timeline

Once buds are visible, it usually takes 7–10 days for them to reach full bloom under normal spring conditions
Cool weather can slow things down, while heat can speed it up

“Marshmallow Stage” (cutting stage)

This is the stage when the bud feels soft and squishy, like a marshmallow — not tight and hard, but not yet open.

Duration: The marshmallow stage lasts about 2–4 days, depending on temperature and humidity
This is the ideal time to cut peonies for vases; they will open beautifully indoors and last longer

Bloom duration (uncut in garden)

Individual blooms last 5–10 days, again depending on variety and weather
Peony plants as a whole typically bloom over 7–14 days, but staggered varieties can extend the bloom season in your garden

Do peonies bloom more than once per summer?

No, peonies are once-a-year bloomers
Some gardeners stagger early, mid-, and late-season varieties to extend the bloom period across 3–4 weeks, but each plant blooms only once

Why are ants all over peony buds?

Peony buds secrete a sweet nectar that attracts ants
Myth: Ants are required to open buds — not true
Reality: Ants are just enjoying the nectar and do not harm the plant

How to get rid of ants before bringing peonies indoors

Dip or Rinse Method:
- Dip cut blooms in a bucket of cool water for 30 seconds
- Gently shake to remove ants
Soapy Water Spray:
- Lightly spray with diluted dish soap and rinse again in clean water
Cut While in Marshmallow Stage:
- Fewer ants are usually present before the bloom fully opens
Let Sit Outside:
- After cutting, leave stems in a shaded, ant-free area for 30–60 minutes so ants crawl off

Displaying peonies indoors: Styling tips

Whether it’s a single bloom or an abundant bouquet, peonies are beautiful anywhere. Here are some easy ways to show them off:

Vase ideas:

It’s a good idea to mix fully open blooms with tighter buds to keep the bouquet evolving.

🛒 Favorite Vases:

No products found.

How to make cut peonies last longer

Peonies are fleeting, but you can stretch their vase life with these tips:

Recut stems at a 45° angle under running water
Remove leaves below the water line
Change water daily
Keep away from heat and direct sun
Use flower food or DIY mix (1 tsp sugar + splash of vinegar)

Peony beauty

A day after putting the cuttings in water, our ‘marshmallows’ buds began to open. Each bloom was unique in the way it unfurled and every morning there was yet another opened bud or two. The life of a peony may be fleeting but that only makes it all the more amazing to witness their bloom.

Last update on 2025-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API