Hi Mary Stella, it really depends on how mature the root is. An established tree peony can bloom on new growth from the ground the same season--I saw it with my Phoenix White. I think you and I in our zone will see a lot more of the woody growth loss than those in warmer zones, just a fact of life. That doesn't mean you won't see blooms, though--once your roots are well established I'll bet that you'll see blooms on new growth every year as well if the woody growth doesn't make it. Mine were in place 5 years before I saw this behavior but mine weren't 4-5 year old plants when I got them, maybe 2-3 year old at most.
