How and When to Transplant Peonies So They Thrive for Years to Come

The oversized blooms, bright colors, and fluffy shape of peonies make them a favorite for gardeners of all skill levels. These beloved flowers can thrive for decades, showing off the same gorgeous hues and ruffled silhouettes to generations of growers. But keeping this plant blooming for years to come may require the occasional transplant. Follow these expert tips for how and when to transplant peonies to ensure they flourish in their new home.

Why Peonies Need to Be Transplanted

Peonies can have large root systems, but the roots typically remain only 12 to 18 inches under the surface of the soil, so the plants are easy to move. Homeowners often choose to take the shrubs when they move, or to share them with relatives. "Peonies can live for more than a century, so many families treat them as heirlooms, moving them to different family members' houses as needed," says Laura Kubes of Hidden Springs Peony Farm.

A shift in garden conditions can also require you to transplant the bush. Peonies that were planted too deeply—or that have had substantial amounts of soil settle around them—may no longer bloom, says Kady Adelman of Adelman Peony Gardens. In other cases, neighboring plants that have grown wide enough to crowd the peonies or tall enough to block the light might force a replant.

When to Transplant Peonies

Peonies typically die back in the fall and set their buds then for the spring, making autumn the best time of year to transplant them. "This is the time when peonies are in their dormant stage," says Kubes. "They focus energy on root development all the way up until the ground is frozen, which gives them a foundation to help with growth the following spring." If you transplant peonies in the spring, the plant will direct its energy toward budding leaves and flowers—which weakens its ability to secure the root system.

While the exact transplant date can vary by region, weather is a good indicator of when to transplant peonies. "Cooler temperatures help keep the plants from being even more traumatized by extended hot weather," says Adelman. "Keeping an eye on weather patterns for the initial cool-off is the best guide on when to transplant." You can also monitor the color of the plant's leaves—transplanting is typically safe when the foliage fades from green to brown.

Where to Transplant Peonies

Choose a bright, full-sun location for your transplanted peonies, which will give you the biggest and best blooms and strongest stems. "Full sun is also a must for peonies to develop strong stems to hold the big flowers upright," Kubes says. "Even a little shade will increase the likelihood that your peony stems will flop when they bloom."

Peonies prefer well-drained soil, and are drought-tolerant once established. They also require exposure to cold temperatures to spur the growth of their shoots in spring. "Poor soil is generally not a problem for peonies—they adapt well," says Kubes.

Preparing Different Types of Peonies for Transplanting

The 6,500-plus varieties of peonies come in three categories: woody (or tree) peonies, which grow on a shrub and survive all winter; herbaceous peonies, which die back to the ground after the warm-weather blooming season; and ITOH (or intersectional) peonies, which have qualities of both the other types.

When preparing to transplant your peonies, you can trim the stems of herbaceous and ITOH plants. "For herbaceous peonies, the stems can be cut to the ground and the peony can be transplanted anytime before the ground freezes for winter," says Kubes. "Intersectional peonies should be trimmed to the ground, or to the point where the green stems become woody—whichever is higher. Woody peonies should never be trimmed and the stems should never be cut—instead, leaves can be removed from the main stem.

How to Transplant Peonies

Peonies typically only need to be transplanted about once every 10 years. Remember that this process may affect the plant's bloom time. "Since the plants need time to reestablish their root system, you most likely will not get a bloom your first year, and if you do, it will be much smaller in size," says Adelman. As the plant matures and the root system grows, you will find your peony back producing mature full-size flowers.”

1. Gently Dig Around the Plant

Use your shovel to dig a circle around the plant. "Begin gently at first to make sure you are not hitting roots, and adjust until you are far enough out from the roots," says Adelman.

2. Loosen and Lift

Carefully slide the shovel under the root system and gently raise the plant, loosening it as you work your way around the circle.

3. Rinse the Roots

After digging the plant, gently rinse any remaining soil away so that you have a clear view of the root system. "The growing points, or eyes, are either red, white, or pink—[these are] the future year's stems—and are located in the center of the plant," says Adelman.

4. Dig a New Hole

Your transplanted peony should be placed into a hole that is double the width of the root system and deep enough so that the crown of the plant is 1 inch below the soil surface, says Kubes.

5. Amend Your Soil

Your soil should be loose, not clumpy, and not too heavy. For sandy soils, mix in compost and/or leaf mold into the soil when planting, says Kubes.

6. Place Your Plant

Gently place the peony plant into the hole and cover it with soil. "Do not plant too deep," says Kubes. "No part of the root should be visible above the soil."

7. Water the Plant

Water the newly transplanted peonies deeply, and continue to water them regularly for the next few weeks until they become established, says Kubes. In colder zones, cover the base of the plant with an inch of wood mulch to prevent weeds and hold moisture.

Caring for Your Transplanted Peonies

Once you've transplanted your peonies, you'll want to care for them to help them flourish.

Watering: The soil should be moist but not soggy. Roots will grow deeper in the soil with deep watering rather than frequent, shallow watering. Right after transplanting, water deeply to help settle the soil around the roots. Continue to water about once a week.

Mulching: Mulching can help newly transplanted peonies establish strong roots and thrive in their new location. Apply a light layer of mulch around the plant in the spring and summer. In the fall (in USDA zones 3 to 5), add 2 to 3 inches of mulch to help protect the roots from freezing temperatures.

Fertilizing: Newly transplanted peonies typically don't need fertilizer. Otherwise, fertilize once a year in early spring with a bit of 10-10-10 fertilizer to the base of the plant.