There are few flowers more magical than a peony in bloom. Seeing a brilliant mass planting of these generous flowers gives me so much joy. Caring for them isn’t difficult either. But sometimes they grow tall and need staking, and knowing the right way to stake peonies is important.
Pruning and training are aspects of growing herbaceous types that can’t be ignored, whereas tree peonies have woody stems that don’t require staking. When it comes to keeping your herbaceous peonies upright, there are lots of options.
As long as you nail down the timing and prepare for flowering, you’ll have tons of lovely cup-shaped flowers perfect for cutting or simply enjoying in your garden. Not staking them is one of the many mistakes growers can make. Here are seven steps to stake floppy peonies for gorgeous, strong-stemmed blooms.
TheSarah Bernhardt Peony is a stunning, classic variety that will steal the show every spring with its massive, fragrant blooms. Known for its lush, soft pink petals and delightful scent, this peony has been a favorite for over a century—and for good reason!
Peonies are known for their large, lush blooms that come in a wide array of colors. However, their heavy flower heads often cause the stems to bend and fall over once the blooms fully open. Staking peonies is crucial for keeping the flowers upright so you can enjoy this spring beauty longer. With the right materials and techniques, staking peonies is an easy DIY garden task.
When to Stake Peonies
The ideal time to stake peonies is either in early spring before rapid growth begins or in late fall after cutting down spent plants. Staking in fall allows you to avoid damaging new tender stems in spring. However, you can add stakes at any time, just take care not to disturb active growth.
Supplies Needed
- Metal or bamboo stakes – The number needed depends on plant size. Allow 1-2 stakes per foot of plant width. Sturdy 1/2″ diameter metal stakes work best for large, mature plants.
- Twine, stretch tape, or plant ties
- Hammer, mallet or rod for installing stakes
Staking Methods
There are a few different techniques for staking peonies. Choose the best method for your plant’s size and growth stage.
Cages
Cage supports like tomato cages work well for small, young peonies. Position the cage so the peony’s stems grow up through the center opening. Push the cage legs into the ground around the plant. As stems elongate, gently guide them through the openings.
Rings
Peony rings are half-circle supports placed around plants. They allow for installation after growth starts Space rings 12-24 inches tall around plants, just outside the root zone
Hoops
Grid-style peony hoops have open tops that surround plants. Install hoops over dormant or very early spring growth. Center plants in the grid openings. Support mature plants with sturdy, tall hoops.
Staking
Sturdy staking is ideal for large, established peonies. Space 1-2 stakes evenly around plants, just outside the root zone. Drive stakes 8-12 inches into the ground. Wrap twine or ties around stakes in a crisscross pattern at the proper bloom height.
Wrapping
For long peony rows, run lines of stakes along the row. Attach mesh netting or twine to the stakes above the plants to form a grid that contains and supports growth.
Umbrella
Thread twine from a center stake in a spoke pattern around individual stems radiating outward. Lift and tie drooping stems to provide subtle, invisible support
How to Stake Peonies Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps for properly staking large, mature peonies:
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Hammer 1-2 sturdy metal or bamboo stakes evenly spaced around each plant about 6-12 inches away from the root zone. Space stakes 1-2 feet apart to provide full support. Drive stakes 8-12 inches deep.
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Tightly attach one end of twine, stretch tape or other plant tie to any stake just below flower height, about 12-18 inches from the ground.
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Pull the tie snugly to the next stake, wrapping it firmly around the outside of stems. Secure the tie to each stake, circling the plant.
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Work around the peony until all stakes are connected with the tie, creating a web of support.
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Gently lift and position any drooping stems or open flowers upwards as you work.
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Tighten ties over the season as needed to boost support.
Caring for Staked Peonies
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Check ties weekly and loosen any that are too tight around swelling stems.
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Retie or replace broken, loosened ties right away to maintain support.
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Water thoroughly if staking during dry conditions to avoid stressing plants.
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Remove stakes and ties once flowers fade to allow plants to rebound naturally.
Key Takeaways
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Stake peonies in early spring or fall to avoid damaging fragile growth.
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Use cage or hoop supports for younger plants and sturdy stakes for mature plants.
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Space 1-2 stakes per foot around plants and drive 8-12 inches into soil.
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Crisscross ties between stakes just under blooms to support stems.
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Gently lift and tie drooping stems as you work for upright flowers.
With the right stakes and techniques, staking peonies is easy. Follow these tips for keeping peony blooms standing tall and extending your enjoyment of these flowering spring treasures.
Step 4: Wait for the Right Time
To prevent damage to foliage, stake your peonies just after you’ve planted your tubers in fall. If you miss this time, no problem. Pop them in just as the leaves poke through the soil surface in spring.
While some stakes are best included in the garden at planting, peonies should be several inches tall before training begins. Ideally your plant has been in the ground since fall, and has overwintered. It’s ok if you haven’t included a stake in the planting process, but ensuring one is there when they are about six inches tall is best.
Step 5: Train Your Peonies
As they grow taller, tie them to the single stake, or gently guide foliage that has escaped the supportive center of your coral, cages, or supports inward. If necessary, add another tie to single-staked plantings as they grow taller. Keep a watchful eye on your plants as they grow, ensuring they have the vertical nature you want to see in your garden.
How to Stake a Peony
FAQ
How to keep peonies from flopping over?
To prevent peonies from flopping over, provide support such as peony cages, stakes with ties, or hoop supports, especially for varieties with heavy blooms.
How do you stake peonies?
The first step is to insert a stake every four-feet around the perimeter of each row. My peony garden is planted with 11 double rows of 22 herbaceous peony plants, 44 in each row of the same variety. Once they are in position, they are pushed down several inches deep into the ground.
Are you supposed to support peonies?
Supporting Peony Plants
Once the plant has filled out, and especially when it’s in bloom, it is nearly impossible to set up an effective support system. Grow-Through Supports are perfect for peonies. Set them in place in early spring so stems can grow through the grid.
Do peonies need to be tied up?
But they grow very quickly and by the end of April, these plants are already a foot tall and need to be staked so they are well-bolstered as they mature.May 7, 2021
How do you staking peonies?
Peony props: Peony props are another popular method for staking peonies. These metal stakes are designed to support individual stems and are placed in the ground near the base of the stem. The props can be adjusted as the plant grows taller.
Do peonies need staking?
This late pale-pink, silver-edged peony is a cut flower favourite, because it produces lots of flowers. However, it will need staking, because the long stems aren’t as strong as they might be. Lemoine 1906 90cm/3ft Lots of smaller flowers with a ring of pink petals set around a cream middle of upright staminode petals.
How do you attach a peony stake?
Attachment mechanisms should be placed at the height of the crop and moved up the stake through the season as plants grow. Sticky card attached to post in peony field. Darcy Etcheverry, UAF-CES. The sticky cards should be checked and replaced at least every other week.