The biggest mistake people make with peonies is not supporting them. Because, almost as soon as the buds open, inevitably the heavy flowers will crash to the ground. It is a very common and frustrating problem.
Adding supports at the right time will keep your peonies from falling over. It’s easy to do, and worth it to help your gorgeous blooms last longer.
In this post I’m going to tell you how to prevent it from happening by adding supports. I’ll also tell you which types to use and when to add them. Then I’ll show you exactly how to stake them up, step by step.
Why Do My Peonies Fall Over?
Peonies fall over because the stems aren’t strong enough to support the huge blooms. They may be able to handle the weight for a few days while the buds are opening.
But once they’re fully open, they become too heavy for the stems. Add in a rain shower or two and… timber! The flowers quickly flop to the ground.
If you leave them on the ground, they’ll only last for a few days, and you won’t get to enjoy them in their full glory.
How To Keep Peonies From Falling Over
You need to support your peonies to prevent them from falling over. That way the blooms will last several days longer, and more of the flower buds will be able to open on the bush.
Just make sure that the type of support you use is the right size for your plant. Small ones can easily be contained with a grow-through cage. But a large peony bush will require something stronger and wider.
If the supports you use are too short, it’s not going to do much good. The flowers will simply collapse right over the top of them.
When To Add Peony Supports
The best time to add peony supports is either in very early spring before the stems get too tall, or in the fall after you cut down the plant.
I prefer to add mine in the fall so I don’t forget about it, and to prevent damaging the tender new growth in the spring.
Don’t worry if you do forget, you can stake your peonies at any time. Just be careful not to get too close to the plants when you pound the stakes into the ground.
How To Support Peonies
In this section, I’m going to tell you all about the best types of supports to use for your peony plants, and how to install them properly.
The Best Types Of Peony Supports
Peony supports come in many forms, and the type you use will depend on how large your plant is.
Ideally, the diameter of the support should be larger than the rootball so that it can hold up all of the stems. Also, if it’s too small, you could damage the roots when you install it. Here are the best options:
- Grid supports – A grow-through grid hoop can work for supporting small or young peony plants for the first few years. But once they become taller, wider, and more mature, these usually end up being too short for them.
- Cages – As your plant matures, you will need something bigger, like a plant cage. Or you can simply use standard tomato cages like these heavy duty ones or convenient foldable ones.
- Staking – Once your peonies get really large, they will need a much stronger support. Usually, at this point, staking is the best option.
How To Install Them
If you’re using wire cages, or another type of grow-through support, position them so that the plant is centered in the middle of the hoop. Then you can simply push the wire legs into the ground.
If the soil is too hard, try soaking it with water and letting it sit overnight to soften it. Otherwise you may need to dig small holes to install it.
As the stems begin to grow each spring (and they grow fast), help them by gently guiding them through the center of the support. Be very careful though, because if you bend them too much, they will break really easily.
If any of the stems are too long to bend back into the cage, you can tie them to it using twine, plastic stretch ribbon or select-a-size wire.
How To Stake Peonies Step-By-Step
If your peonies are too big for cage-type supports, then you can stake them instead. It’s easy, and you only need a few things to get the job done.
Supplies Needed
- Heavy duty stakes (the number of stakes you need depends on how large your plant is)
- Plant ties
- Hammer
Instructions
Step 1: Pound in the stakes – Position one of your plant stakes so it’s a few inches away from the rootball, then use your hammer to drive it into the ground.
Work your way around your peony plant, driving in one stake every 1-2 feet until you’ve made a circle around your peony.
Step 2: Position the plant tie – Tightly attach one end of your plant tie to any of the stakes. Be sure to position it so that it sits just below the base of the flowers to give them the best support.
String it to the next stake, wrapping it around the outside of your peony plant. Make sure it is very taught, then either wrap it around that stake, or tie it on to secure it.
Step 4: Make a full circle – Repeat step 2 to secure the plant tie to each of the stakes one by one until you have a full circle around the entire bush.
If your peony already has drooping flowers, then gently lift them up as you work your way from stake to stake.
There, now you’ve basically made your own DIY peony cage! Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect or you think it looks ugly.
When the plant fills in and is full of gorgeous, upright flowers, you won’t even notice it. Plus once it’s done blooming, you can simply remove the stakes.
Getting into the habit of supporting your peonies properly, and at the right time, will make it much easier to keep the flowers from falling over every spring. And you’ll be able to enjoy them for much longer.
More About Flower Gardening
Share your tips for supporting or staking peonies in the comments section below.
david filler says
I HAVE GROWN PEONIES FOR YEARS THE BEST SUPPORT I HAVE USED IS CHICKEN WIRE EASY TO CUT WITH SNIPS AND CAN BE STORED EASILY YEAR AFTER YEAR..
Heather says
Do you let the peonies grow through the chicken wire or do you encircle the plant with wire?
Deborah Morgenstern says
Do you remember where you got the garden stakes with holes of notches? I cannot find anything like that.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I linked to the exact stakes that I used under the section where I talk about how to make DIY peony supports. But you should be able to find something similar at any home improvement store.