Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Planting Perennials

Peonies
I usually focus on my vegetable garden, but I do maintain a flower bed.  Watching flowers grow and blossom is so uplifting.  Peonies come in a variety of colors and will grow 2 to 4 feet tall.  These fragrant blooms are best planted in late fall to establish a strong root system.  Plant Peonies in a partially shaded, well drained area.  Four to six hours of direct sunlight is best, with soil that is not too moist.  Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart and 10 inchess beneath the soil.  The flower of the Peonies tends to be top heavy.  In order to support the blossoms weight you may need to stabeize your plant with a stake.  Peonies thrive best in zone 3 through zone 8.