Liz, I was reading A. Harding "The Peony" and she mentions 3 inches planting depth for peonies. Considering that book was written about a century ago when temperatures were much lower may be there is a point trying something similar at your location? May be with something not too important for a starter ?
Some of her revelations are simply awesome!
" It is a curious commentary on horticultural human nature, and a fact to bear in mind, that all gardeners seem to be passionately averse to digging holes of sufficient size to accommodate properly roots of any kind without crowding or bending." Priceless!
