Marianne's Response

Tips for moving herbaceous peonies

My daughter lives in Denver and will be moving to another home in Denver in January. She has six mature herbaceous peonies which she would like to move. Is it possible? When is the best time to move them? I have heard that peonies don’t like to be disturbed once established—any tips? Root prune and prep now?

Posted by Pamela Higgins on October 30, 2014

Marianne's Response

Peonies do resent being moved, but fall is the best time of year to move them. Dig a trench around the roots about 8 inches away from the stem. Dig under the root system as well as you can to pop the tuber and roots right out of the ground. Next, replant this with soil still around the roots into the newly dug hole, placing the tuber at the same soil level it was before. Do not plant peonies too deep or they will not bloom. The tuber should be just below ground level. Firm the soil with your hands. Do not forget to feed, water well, and look for new growth in the spring. You can cut back any top growth now or when the leaves turn yellow. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti