@LizinElizabeth
I do use the wire fencing supports for really big plants. However, I used a tomato cage for Fancy Nancy. It is getting really big, I may switch over to the wire fence cage next year.
I buy the heavy duty 54" (4 leg) tomato cages from Lowes. I buy 10 at a time to get a contractor discount:)
I cut it in half and end up with 2 supports. I use the lager one for peonies and the smaller one for smaller plants
Lowes also sells a 3 leg support that they call a peony support. It has a larger top ring, but uses a smaller gauge wire so it is forever bending when you pushing it in the ground. Also, it only has 3 legs so it is not as stable as the 4 legged tomato cage. Here is a photo of the 3 legged on the left and the 4 legged on the right. The price for the 3 leg peony support is $4 and the 54" tomato cage if just over $4. But with the 54" support you end up with 2 supports. Oh yes, I do use the 54" tomato cage as is for my tomatoes. I will not be buying any more 3 leg peony supports ( Note that these 3 leg supports are available from many suppliers, not just Lowes).
Here is a photo of the wire fence support, 3 leg support and the 4 leg support. One advantage of the wire fence support is that you can make any size that you want. I use a wire fence support for my Illini Warrior Peony. Illini Warrior is a mature plant that grows over 4 feet tall and wide.
Heres a photo of a recently planted peony using the larger half of the 54" tomato cage. Also, I used the smaller half for a hardy mum. The mum may not need any support, but I always use the supports on newly planted specimens so that I know that I planted something in that spot.
