Just coming out of negative temps here in Colorado, several inches of snow still on the frozen solid ground. Spring seems a LLLLOOOOONNNNGGGG way off...Anyone in warmer areas seeing sprouts of anything yet?
Despite our cold weather the peony pips here keep getting larger. My Koukaman is putting up a stem, and the pips are swelling on some of the plants, despite the snow and ice last week, and we continue to have a lot of nights below freezing.
Have them on Festiva Maxima, Raspberry Sundae, and a NOID. Can't see the Celebrity yet because there was an invasion of weedy grass. Have a couple of kids coming next Saturday to dig it up in that bed.
That's wonderful! Almost all of mine are under a couple of inches of ice. We're supposed to have above freezing temps for the weekend so I'll be outside looking tomorrow!
I just hope the snow/ice/single digit temps go away before Mother's Day this year! We had 2 big snows the last 2 weeks of May last year......and still had peony blooms.....
Wow, I can't imagine snow in May. I'm glad you still had peony blooms after the late snow. With our colder weather this year, our bloom season is going to be later. I checked pictures from last year, and at this time, pips were enlarging, and my Cheddar Surprise peony was already leafing out.
Here a few pics of the tree peonies from today. Notice the snow present, from our ongoing "catastrophic" weather event of "historic proportions". The rest of the bad stuff is coming tonight, I hope none of the trees get damaged by falling branches.
This pic was from mid-April last year. Colorado springs are crazy--70 degrees one day, snowing the next. At least the snow and cold weather only last a day or two that late in the season!
Very pretty Liz, I'm starting to feel like I live in zone 4b. They recently changed the zone maps, and put us in a warmer zone, they seriously need to rethink that!
I'm still glad however for the chilling time, I'm looking forward to seeing the peonies this spring.
When do you fertilize your peonies, if ever? I know some people don't. I started in February last year, I'm at a loss as to when to begin the process this year, with the crazy weather we're having.
Too much snow down to see anything here. Hopefully with these below average temps they are doing okay. It seems like it will be a long time before bloom time, but really it isn't far off at all.
Hi Annette, I'm one of those that doesn't fertilize peonies, or at least haven't yet! I did buy some azomite and plan to sprinkle it around as soon as most of the ice is gone and I can see bare ground! And Joannabanana's tip (in Ideas) on Epsom salt snagged my attention; I'll probably try that around some of the older plantings. We're in a newer build, added planter's mix to my planting areas before putting anything in so had lots of various composts from the start. I did notice last season that some of the plantings in the back were not looking as vibrant green as before, need to test the soil and possibly amend some, will probably top dress with compost at a minimum.
I also get to plant more this spring, have appx 30 peonies coming and probably 15 roses. Haven't tried roses since moving to this house but was a dismal failure at my last house (killed 6 David Austin roses 1st year). I have high hopes though--I've been haunting the Rose Forum and got specific advice from someone in my area. Now if I can just keep the deer away......
The most I have ever fertilized my peonies is a top dressing of compost or composted cow manure. Peonies don't need a lot of special care and perform just fine, as long as they are planted the correct depth, given time to sleep (year 1), creep (year 2) and leap (3 years in ground to really take off) and have adequate chilling hours.
We surely did get enough chilling hours this winter, well beyond what is normal for this area. Hoping that will make a difference in letting my three newly planted peonies become established.
Did stroll around the garden today, it was a balmy 61 degrees, thank goodness, after the nasty weather we had last week. Here are a few more pips.of all the newly planted peonies, the tubers from Fina Gardens are putting out the largest pips. Here are
Raspberry Charm, Hermione, Philippe Riviore, and Accent.