The peony, also known as the farmer's rose, cuts an excellent figure with its bright, large flowers not only in the cottage garden. They can also be combined very well with other small-flowered plants, but should not be transplanted too often.
How do you properly care for a farmer's rose?
To properly care for a farmer's rose (peony), you should choose a sunny to semi-shady, wind-protected location with permeable soil. Young plants need regular watering, but avoid waterlogging. Fertilize minimally with compost or humus and cut the plant back in autumn or spring. The farmer's rose is hardy.
Planting farmer's roses
It is best to plant your peony in a sunny or partially shaded place protected from the wind with well-drained soil. Do not plant the plant too deeply in the soil, otherwise it will not bloom beautifully later. If the roots are very long, shorten them a little before planting. Shrub peonies like light shade, so their delicate flowers last longer.
Water and fertilize farmer's roses properly
Although a flowering peony needs a lot of water, at least the older plant is able to provide itself well with it thanks to its long taproots. However, you should water younger peonies sufficiently as soon as the soil has dried out.
When watering, be sure to avoid waterlogging, as the farmer's rose does not tolerate this well. If the soil is rather firm, provide your older peony with additional water occasionally. However, it doesn't need any fertilizer, just some compost or humus in the spring.
Cutting farm roses
The beautiful large flowers of the peony also look great in a vase. To do this, cut the stems with the buds that are not yet fully bloomed in the morning before they are in full sun. The perennial peony does not need regular pruning.
Farmer roses in winter
Both perennial and shrub peonies are hardy. The above-ground plant parts of perennial peonies die in winter. As soon as they become unsightly and wilted in autumn, you can cut the plants back. The shrub peony, on the other hand, is only pruned in spring. If you like it, you can even train this peony into a standard tree.
The most important care tips:
- sunny to partially shaded and wind-protected location
- permeable soil
- Water young plants well
- hardly or not at all fertilize
- Pruning in autumn or spring
- hardy
Tip
If possible, avoid transplanting the peony. She doesn't like it at all and doesn't always survive it.