I bought a peony plant from Costco. I them planted it but I'm not sure if it was planted properly or deep enough. Also it looks like it is wilting? Would love some advice/feedback. Thanks!

Sure take a hand cultivator like in the photo and loosen the soil around the plant but be extra gentle around the roots. Don't disturb the roots at all!! When the soil is lose give it a good drink about 5 or 7 gallons of water. Then buy yourself one bag of mulch and pile it around the plant about 2 to 4 inch high. Keep the mulch off the trunk about a inch or two. Then stick your finger in the soil once a week to feel if its dry. After the top 2 inches are dry you and water again.

I think you're under watering.. and I almost never say that! The plant looks like it wilted in the sun.. how's your weather been?

There's a good chance it's not deep enough, which is why it's drying out so fast, so Luke's advice to mulch it well is very smart.

Don't dig it up now. You'll do more damage than good when the plant is in full growth mode. I would never dig up a peony unless it's dormant in fall or just starting to come out of the ground in early spring. I would follow Luke's advice, on the deep side. If you just planted it this year, it's got a very immature root system, so try to water more regularly.

Do you remember how deep you did plant it? If it's deep enough it won't freeze, I wouldn't dig it up at all. If it's only an inch or two below the surface you may want to dig it up in The fall to plant it deeper. If the tuber freezes solid, it will die over the winter, which is why you want to be ~6" deep

I agree with comments on lack of water. In Colorado, Sunset Western Garden zone 2b, I grew both herbaceous peonies (like yours) and tree peonies. The temps normally reached -18f 2 nights a yr (often without snow) and mine flowered each yr. Porvo appears to be in Sunset zone 3a, also wth periodic temps of -18f. My herbaceous peonies were planted at a depth of about 1-2 inches. Sunset recommends digging a hole with plenty of compost and setting the roots WITH THE EYES 2 INCHES DEEP IN COLD CLIMATES. If planted too deep, it prevents flowering. Farmers almanac says same on planting (Google "peony care".

Thanks all so much for taking the time to help me out. So I followed your advice. As you can see I have added the mulch. What do you think? Is it enough? Should I add it to all the soil? Or just around the plant as is? Also I did not buy shredded mulch my store did not have it. Will this mulch work? Also before adding the mulch I added 3 galloons of water. How often do you think I should water? The flower is drooped/wilted. Is this normal for these types of flowers? When should I expect the flower to fully bloom? Could it be that the plant is in shock? Remember I did buy it at Costco as is I just replanted it. I'm pretty sure I planted it about 1 feet deep.




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