Peonies are best planted either in the fall or in the spring, with some differences depending on the season:
- Fall planting is often preferred because it allows the bare root peony roots to establish before the winter. The ideal time is several weeks before a hard freeze, typically from late September through early December in many regions. This gives the roots time to recover and adjust to their new environment before the growing season. Bare root peonies are usually planted in the fall.
- Spring planting is also possible, usually with potted plants that are available in early spring. Plant them once the ground is sufficiently warm, generally between mid-March and mid-April depending on your gardening zone. If you plant in the spring, focus on keeping the plants well watered as they get established.
When planting, make sure the buds ("eyes") of the roots are no more than 1-2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) below the soil surface to avoid poor flowering. In summary, the best time to plant peonies is in the fall before the ground freezes, but spring planting is also acceptable if conditions are right and you keep the plants watered. The timing mostly depends on your local climate and the type of peony plant you buy (bare root in fall, potted in spring).
