If you need to transplant peonies, the best time to do so is in the fall after they finish blooming and are approaching dormancy. Peonies divided in the spring … If nature doesn’t supply weekly rains, you'll need to step in with a hose. Remove the mulch in early spring, before new growth appears. Do this in the fall for best results! A layer that’s 4 to 6 inches deep should prevent frost heave. Transplanting peonies so they rebloom takes some attention to details. Divide peonies in spring or fall using this simple method which disturbs roots as little as possible. The transplanted peony may not produce as many, if any, flowers as before it was transplanted. Don’t worry if the flowers seem a bit sparse the first spring after moving established peonies. The best time to move your peonies … Don’t worry if they have little or no flowers in the first year after transplanting, they are just settling in, and should bloom well after that. Avoid transplanting peonies in summer unless circumstances demand it. Peonies are a little different from most perennials in this regard. Peonies (Paeonia spp.) How to Dig Up Peony Plants to Move. After transplanting peonies, don’t expect plants to flower the following spring. Resource links: Transplant peonies Growing peonies First, dig up the plant. Peonies display their luscious flowers for a few weeks starting in spring. After planting, water the divisions thoroughly. In November, spread 4-6 inches of mulch over your peonies to keep soil temperatures stable through the winter. You may see a few blooms the second year after planting, but it’s in the third and fourth years that flower numbers should make a comeback. They love cold winters and need chilling time to make flowers. They perform best when grown in full sun and in soil that is well drained. Peonies transplant better when you divide them. Remove the mulch prior to the growing season in the spring. Peonies can be left undisturbed in the garden for many years. Start digging a good 18 inches away from the crown of the plant. When transplanting a peony, it can take three to four years for it to become reestablished and bloom abundantly. Dig in circles around the plant, going deeper and deeper until you can gently lift the root ball out of the ground. Some varieties move easily in spring or fall, but others, if moved in spring, won’t flower for a year or two. Like Oriental poppies or Siberian irises, they rarely require dividing; but if you want to break a mature plant into several smaller ones or to move an existing plant, the work is best done in late summer or early fall. Peonies need to be watered weekly until the ground freezes in the fall. Peonies are perennials, meaning they return every year, bringing outrageously beautiful blooms to your garden each spring. 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