I've finally come to the realization that there are peony varieties that will never do well for me. While that is depressing the wonderful solution is that there are so many varieties with similar characteristics that there's a better than good chance I can find one that is indestinguishable from a desired variety that will perform well in my area. I'm thinking I'll isolate those varieties that underperform in a bed that I can control a bit better, see if I can get them healthy, and get rid of them if not. Anyone else out there with this issue?

When you said underperform, what do you mean? Like they don't bloom or their blooms don't open well? I have a few that don't open well when the weather gets hot.

I have one that has stayed small and hasn't bloomed very often. I think I am going to dig it up later in the summer and refresh the hole and replant. It has been in the ground here for probably twenty years. Although I have other that have been planted as long as that and they are doing great. The culprit is 'Starlight'.

Hi Valerie. I don't have that variety but I'm hoping that by posting an issue here someone who does grow it can post some recommendations. I don't want to give up on any peony without giving it the best chance to flourish. Also don't want to dedicate time, space and effort to a plant that's never going to do well in my garden.

Karen, I think "underperform" will vary by the person and garden. To me I mean those that come up well but get blasted by the first inclement weather, even if we don't have frost or serious snow. I also have a few like Green Lotus that just aren't getting bigger every year and have never bloomed. I'm certainly willing to move them and give them the location best suited to their needs but I can't control CO's climate. I'm okay with plants increasing slower than in more optimum growing locations but want to do away with those plants that curl up and die away for the season even after I do my best to protect them.

Valerie, your Starlight flower looks a lot like what was sold to me as Astarte last fall, bloom time is right as well. I have it in a slightly wetter than normal for Saunders peonies location with probably 7-8 hours so sun/day, eyes are 2" down and mulched in my zone 4b garden. How does that compare to your location?

Mine is getting less sun. I think I am going to move it to a sunnier location.

Several of mine are not performing as good as they used to, because the trees and shrubs have grown, and now several are in more shade.
Also I was buying "bargain" peonies which sometimes are not really a bargain.
Last year I ordered from D'Auost, and those were good strong roots. They are still young immature plants, but each has given at least one bud this first year.

I've had just as many Gilbert Wild first year blooms as Fima, just the Fina ones are actually the right root. There are varieties that will never do well for me no matter where they come from. My task now is to identify the ones I need to move or change my care of and to get them
In an environment that gives them the best chance to thrive. I'm hoping most of mine will be in that category. Then I need to get rid of the ones that will never do well in CO and replace them with similar but tougher plants