Plant your Peony in a sunny, well-drained soil because wet soil will cause root rot. Where you are in New York, you may get frost heaving sometime during cold season and that can kill peony plants. It may need winter protection during the Winter. Plant it high in the soil for the best drainage. Plant it like an inch mound above the ground level to avoid soggy soil conditions. When it gets hot and dry, pile 2 or 4 inches of hardwood mulch on top and around the base of the tree to hold the water and keep temps cool.