1. select an area
Clear an area that receives six to eight hours of sun per day. Consider the site carefully since Japanese tree peonies will live more than 10 years and are a long-term resident in your landscape.
2. prepare soil
Loosen the soil to 18 inches deep with a shovel. Remove rocks and break up large soil clumps. Mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost, peat moss or well-rotted manure to improve soil drainage and organic content.
3. mix fertilizer
Dig a 12-by-12 inch hole with a shovel. Add 1/4 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer and 1/2 cup of bone meal to the bottom of the hole. Fill the hole halfway full of soil and mix it with the materials on the bottom with a hand trowel.
4. cover the peony root
Place the Japanese tree peony tuber in the hole with the eyes pointing upward. Cover the tuber so that the soil covers the graft by 4 to 5 inches. This will cause the graft area to grow its own roots and create a stronger plant.
5. water your peony
Firm the soil down over the tuber with your hands. Do not press so hard that the soil becomes compacted. Compacted soil will cause water to run off the planting site instead of being absorbed by the soil. Water the planting area with a bucket full of water.
How to plant Japanese tree peony?
