I was looking for bare roots to plant this fall but everything I want is sold out. I though I'd have plenty of time! When is the best time to start shopping for fall planting? Since I seem to have missed the boat on that, when should I start looking online for peonies to plant next spring?

Peonyshop will open their new catalog in late November- early December. Then Solaris, Adelman - January 1st. Some time later - Fina Gardens, Goldcityflowergardens, Hollingworth. Brooks opens also very early, don't remember exactly when. homesteadfarms.com opens also early. So if you start looking in the very beginning of the year you will probably find what you would like to buy. Good luck!

I forgot HiddenSprings, they start also on January 1st or so.

I checked homesteadfarms.com, Adelmans, Goldcity, they still sell, looks like.

Thank you! I have a very small wishlist. Some are actually available but for much more than they were charging at places that are sold out. It shocks.me sometimes how much the price varies for the same size bareroot.

I got Copper Kettle for $35 but saw it listed elsewhere for $80!

Right now my list consists of
Rooster Reveille
Belle Centre or Montezuma (I can't decide which is prettier so I'll get whichever is cheaper!)
Molly the Witch

I just checked out Hollingsbrook and found some new peonies that renovered others from my list. And in stock and cheap! Thanks for the suggestion Anya!

Last year I ordered peonies from Hollingsworth, nothing came up, they were not cheap either.

Belle Center is available at Hollingsworth
https://hollingsworthpeonies.c...

I would not buy just one peony there, they have a flat shipping cost.

I just wish Hollingsworth had a filter function. They have so many peonies! I just have to go through add everything I like to my cart then whittle it down.

Their new Itoh New Dimension is gorgeous! Maybe in a few years the price will come down to where I can afford it. I have that dream Itoh list:
Oochigeas
Chief Black Hawk
Singing in the rain

I was luckier with Itohs than herbaceous peonies this fall. I got
Kopper Kettle
Cora Louise
Lilac Morning
Bartzella
All that Jazz
Julia Rose
for under a $100 total

@Hiyamakki

Rooster Reveille is hiding out here in Missouri...

https://www.inspirepeoniesflow...

I've not done any business with those folks, but I do like their website :)

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Hiyamakki, New Dimension is a Herbaceous Hybrid, sold out anyway. You probably got those Itoh's as very small plants from cell culture. They might need several years to start blooming, maybe not, please post pictures of you peonies next year. We all love pictures

Top, you are right about that website: very cute! I love the KC Chiefs package even though I'm not into football. It's a fun idea for fans.
I think I will hold off on Rooster Reveille. With the flat rate shipping it's not worth it to get just one and my gardening budget is strained to the max!

Anya, I was worried about the size and quality too. I'm not experianced enough to judge. I will just have to keep my fingers crossed. I don't expect any blooms before 3 years anyway but I at least hope for foliage the first spring.

A possible source for Molly the Witch (not this year):

https://www.blossomhillnursery...

Again, some place I've not used and am not necessarily recommending - they've just happen to grow what you are looking for...

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I've got a strict policy of not paying more than $35 for a plant (unless it's a tree). Arbitrary maybe but it keeps me solvent! Ive seen Molly available in the $100 range. The places with it listed in the 30s are of course sold out. I'm waitlisted on that one though!

Hiyamakki, if you go back several pages (page 5 for me), you will see a thread named 2019 Roots. Scroll through the posts and you will see lots of photos of the roots that were sent last Fall. That way you will get an idea of the size of roots various peony nurseries and peonies resellers send.

Going back to the op question...

If you know what you want you should start searching in January and order early. Prices vary quite a bit from trusted suppliers. Time spent searching on the web usually pays off.

In October or so, many trusted suppliers have sales on their left-overs. I have found some really great peonies with this method. For me here in Michigan, I sometimes prepare the planting home prior to freezing:)

And, I always check out G H Wild. They now hav e a spring and fall offering. Most of it is pure crap, but sometimes they find and offer some really great peonies.