peonies in the South

by Helen
(St. Francisville, LA)

When I pruned my father's peonies, I saved "pods" that were left from some of the bloons on what I believe were double peonies. I have not been successful transplanting peonies to St. Francisville, LA, as there is little or no cold freeze longer than a couple of days. Will the seed pods grow into plants? and if so, what kind of soil do they need?

Doug says that growing peonies in the South is a little different than growing in the North. Soil (an average decent soil) is good (not sand or clay).

Will those seed pods grow into plants. Yes, if treated properly they will. Germinating and growing peonies is a long term thing - it won't happen in a single year and most beginners don't manage to do it.

Will this one bloom? I don't know because you don't say what variety it is.

You need an EARLY variety to bloom in the South. Later blooming plants get heat stroke and don't produce much.


These are the recommeneded varieties that I've been able to dig up.


'Kansas' a red double
'Miss America' white
'Moonstone' a blush double
'Sword Dance'
'Big Ben',
'Bowl of Beauty',
'Carol',
'Dawn Pink',
'Kelway's Glorious',
'Lady Alexander Duff'
'Mt St Helen'
'Picotee'.
'Green Lotus'
Paeonia japonica (Japanese Peony)
'Kansas'
'Monsieur Jules Elie'

Good luck - let me know how you do.