• Peonies should be fertilized in early spring and again at the end of the season.
• Bone meal, balanced fertilizer, and mushroom compost are all good peony fertilizers.
• Plant them in a well-drained soil in full sun for even healthier plants.
  

Peonies are a literal perennial favorite of gardeners and flower enthusiasts alike. The lush, colorful blooms are as stunning in a garden as they are in a bouquet, and stems are a pretty penny if you buy them through a florist or even a grocery store.

But if you want the biggest, fluffiest blooms in your home garden, all it takes it a little bit of care and two applications of fertilizer a year. These long-lived, low maintenance plants don’t need or want for much, but a low nitrogen fertilizer can give them an added boost that will give you the prettiest blooms throughout the season.

Find out from three peony farmers exactly when they fertilize their peonies, what they use, and how they plant them to guarantee a beautiful bloom.

When to Fertilize Peonies

Peonies should be fertilized twice a year, once in the early spring and again after the blooms are gone for the season.

“You can apply a light application of fertilizer in early spring, just as the peonies are emerging,” explains Laura Kubes, owner of Hidden Springs Peony Farm.

However, she adds that the second application in fall is actually the more critical fertilization period to prepare the plants for next year’s gorgeous flowers.

Erin Howe, owner of The Peony Fields, advises fertilizing the peonies just as the plants are setting eyes for next season’s blooms. 

“Applying the fertilizer around rather than over the top of the peony is best,” Kubes says.

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The Best Way to Fertilize Peonies

There’s no singular correct way to fertilize peonies. Depending on your soil needs and what you have on hand, you can use different products and materials to fertilize peonies.

Bulb Fertilizer

Kubes recommends using a bulb fertilizer to fertilize peonies. These often have a lower nitrogen content than other fertilizers, which can encourage peonies to grow healthy, lush blooms.

Bone Meal

Bone meal is an organic option that also encourages root growth and healthier blooms.

“Bone meal is typically a component of a bulb fertilizer that is helpful if you have it on hand,” Kubes says.

Balanced Fertilizer

Everyone’s soil is different, and Howe advises running a soil test to determine the exact nutrients needed in the soil.

She’ll add nutrients and lime in fall, depending on the levels from the test, but she recommends home gardeners use a balanced fertilizer twice a year for similar results.

Mushroom Compost

Chris Scholz, owner of St. John Peony Farm, explains that peonies prefer a soil that is neutral and rich. He recommends mushroom compost as a helpful fertilizer option.

“This gives you all the micronutrients, your soil may be missing,” he says.

How to Get Peonies Ready for the Bloom Season

To set yourself up for gorgeous peonies throughout the bloom season, you need to start planning months—and even years—in advance. Scholz recommends ordering roots or tubers in August so you can get them in the ground by September or October.

When you plant them, you’re not just considering this year’s bloom.

“They are a long term plant, so choose a spot where they can live for ten or more years,” he says.

Scholz explains that you’ll want to look for rich, well drained soil and full sun. Give each plant plenty of room to grow—they can reach up to 30 inches in diameter.

Lastly, Scholz advises planting peonies away from the house, which can provide unnecessary warmth throughout the winter.

“The colder they are all winter, the better and stronger they will be for the bloom season,” he says.

When Not to Fertilize Peonies

Peonies shouldn’t be fertilized just because you’re in the garden and want to give them an extra bust.

“Do not fertilize peonies without cause,” Kubes says. “Full sunshine, adequate moisture, and well-drained soil are most important for the health of your peony.”

She also notes that you should avoid fertilizers that are high in nitrogen as those can make the growth of the peony more susceptible to disease. And keep most manure away from peonies—it’s been linked to spreading botrytis.