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When to Divide Peonies |
By James E. Klett, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Specialist, Landscape Plants
Peonies are best divided in early fall (late August into September). Peonies resent being disturbed and seldom require division, so only dig and divide when really necessary, when you notice the plants are not blooming as profusely as they once did. The process to follow is to dig the clumps carefully so as not to injure or bruise the roots. Wash off all the soil. With a sharp knife cut each clump through the crown into several pieces. Each division should have several plump buds, which at this time should be about one?half inch in length. Roots without such buds rarely produce plants.
Photograph courtesy of Judy Sedbrook.
