Re: Lots of questions...need help re lilies & peoniesespecially...

> From: Cersgarden@aol.com
> Marge, they come to us bare root and usually about the first that
we plant.
----------

Well, Ceres, your supplier must be handling them right if your
customers are having success with them.  I was repeating what has
been said on peony list.  Of course, being peony nuts, all the people
on that list *only* want to handle the plants strictly according to
Hoyle.  But, as someone said on this thread, if you have to move
them, they are tough and will probably survive; just may not bloom.

I've had 5 peonies for well over 20 years but have never dug them up
nor divided them...well, hardly ever done anything to them but cut
them back in fall and dispose of the foliage.  If they are really
lucky, they get a topdressing of compost every few years:-)  Love
them and only wish I had more spots where they'd get sufficient sun
to bloom.  

Of course, our crazy weather is guaranteed to do 2 things when
peonies start to bloom.  1) have a huge thunderstorm with high winds
and torrential downpours and 2) turn hottern' the hinges of
Hades...neither really good for optimum bloom.  But, when the gods
smile, there's nothing can beat a peony flower.  All of you north of
me should be able to have magnificent peonies in the full range of
bloom time.  We need to stick to the early types here for best
success.  

As long as I've had these plants, they've all bloomed together,
although some are supposed to be early and some mid-season.  Well,
last season, being about the coolest spring in memory, they actually
staggered their bloom with the 'earlies' coming on early and the
others following on a couple of weeks later.  I was amazed:-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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