I planted these roots three years ago
And they are still so small and sad looking. I'm wondering if they're too deep maybe? There is one that has only one stalk this year.. last year had 3-4. Do I have unrealistic expectations? I was really hoping for a bud or two. 😢 my phone crashed and I lost the info I had saved about which varieties they were but I believe the single stalk was Alexander Fleming. I do have one with some buds which makes me soooo excited!!

Hi Lisa, is the mulch over the crown of the plants? How is the drainage where you have them planted? That is really important, especially if you are in a warm zone. Peonies will rot if they don't have good drainage.

Are they in full sun? Did you buy them in little bags at a chain store? If so they will be slower to grow than fresh dug roots from a grower planted in the Fall.

Here in North Carolina, I plant the roots with the crown at ground level and sometimes visible. They do great. LG is right. Roots bought in bags at big box stores will take much longer to bloom than freshly dug roots. Go to some of the web sites that sell fresh dug roots in the fall. The prices are reasonable but beware, you will develop peony fever . The only treatment is to buy more peonies?

Hi Lisa! LG and Gary are absolutely right, I am sure in 2-3 years you will get flwoers. I suppose you bought them in a big box store.

The big box store ones are generally smaller divisions and can take longer to get going, sometimes up to three years to flower.

Thank you. Yes, they were bought at Lowes as bare roots. A couple i have were bought from nursery and have bloomed, albeit sparingly. I think this fall I will try and raise them a little. While not deep, they are maybe 1-2" under the soil, and we are in the sandhills of Nc, so it is fairly hot. And they are in full sun.

I love peony so much! Im just dying to see these blooms!!

Lisa, I live in NC and I plant my peonies with the crown at or slightly below the surface.