Peonies live for decades, but sometimes a plant produces lush leaves and not a single flower for years. The cause is almost always planting or care, and it can usually be fixed within one or two seasons. Here are the 9 most common reasons peonies do not flower, what to do about each, and a feeding plan for abundant blooms. Woody varieties follow their own rules — see tree peony. Bloom dates and order of varieties: when do peonies bloom.
1. Planting too deep is the number one cause. Herbaceous peony buds should sit 3–5 cm below the soil. Any deeper and the plant grows but does not flower. Fix: carefully lift it to the right level in autumn.
2. A young or freshly divided plant. Peonies flower 2–3 years after planting, and very small divisions take longer. Fix: wait and do not move it again. How to divide correctly: when to transplant peonies.
3. Shade. Trees or shrubs have grown and the peony now gets less than 6 hours of sun. Fix: prune the neighbours or move the peony somewhere sunny.
4. An old clump. After 10–15 years in one spot the centre ages and flowers shrink or vanish. Fix: lift, divide and rejuvenate it in autumn.
Care problems
5. Too much nitrogen. Fresh manure or frequent nitrogen gives lush leaves instead of flowers. Fix: switch to phosphorus-potassium feeding from late May.
6. Summer drought. Peonies form next year’s buds in July and August; drought then means no flowers. Fix: water 1–2 times a week with 15–20 litres per plant.
7. Cutting foliage too early. Removing leaves straight after flowering, or cutting too many long-stemmed flowers, starves the plant. Fix: only cut foliage in autumn after frost.
8. Acidic soil. Peonies prefer neutral soil (pH 6–7). Fix: add dolomite lime or wood ash in autumn.
9. Disease and frost. Grey mould turns buds black and dry, and late frosts kill them. Fix: remove affected parts, spray fungicide in spring and avoid overcrowding.
How to feed peonies for more flowers
Early spring, as the snow melts: a nitrogen fertiliser at 15–20 g per plant to kick-start shoot growth.
Budding (May): a balanced NPK fertiliser. After flowering (June–July): superphosphate and potash, which feed next year’s buds.
Ants on the buds do not stop flowering: they collect sugary sap and do no harm. For general care, see our peony guide.
How long to wait
A herbaceous peony from a division flowers in year 2–3, Itoh hybrids in year 2 and tree peonies in year 3–5. If the plant is healthy and correctly planted but still has no flowers in year 4, move it into the sun.
While your peonies get going, peony roses can stand in for them in bouquets all year round.
Lush bouquets with delivery
In season, from late May to June, we deliver peony bouquets; the rest of the year we use peony roses, just as lush and soft.
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
Birthday
Hydrangeas