peonies

Your peonies will be fine. I cut mine right back every year and they bounce back.

I would like to move a peony that never seems to get any larger and only ever has about 3 flowers.
At present it is on the shady side, would it do better in a sunny position.
If any GNers can advise I would be very..
grateful.

Sorry to hijack your thread Fennel

It's ok, useful question for me too.
I know nowt about flowers, a bit about vegetables.

ps thanks Elegran - so I'll look forward to next year for them.

They should be all the better for it, Fennel

Cherrytree I have heard that peonies are not keen on being moved, but I've never tried it so I don't know whether that is tue.

'tis true, Elegran, once settled, peonies hate being moved and take ages to recover. I moved mine 2 years ago because it was in the "wrong" place and it's never flowered since. If it doesn't flower next Spring, it's going on the compost heap.

Oh dear
Well suppose a small peony with three flowers is better than no peony..

You could buy another peony and plant it in a better place. Then of the original one doesn't do better after this hot summer, you wouldn't feel so bad about risking moving it as well if you had a thriving one to take its place if it didn't survive.

Move your paeony in the autumn and don't bury the root too deeply. The sites I've just had a quick look at say the 'eyes' or buds (at the top of the root) should be 2 inches deep.

It may take a year or two to recover but as long as you give it a sunny spot it should thrive.

I have several paeony plants which are all from 'bits' that I have been given over the years. They're pretty rampant!