I always mulch my newly planted peonies. I have found those that I mulched performed better than those that I did not mulch the following year. When the pips start to show up in the spring, I brush the mulch away from the pips to allow them to grow. I think it really helps the new peonies esp. those planted late (Oct-Nov)to have a layer of mulch to continue to grow feeder roots until the soil is frozen. According to Cricket Hill Peony website, peonies continue to grow feeder roots if soil temp is 40F and above.
