Hey garden lovers! I’ve been growing Itoh peonies for years now and lemme tell you – these stunning hybrids are absolute showstoppers when planted correctly. Today I’m gonna share everything I’ve learned about planting Itoh peony bare roots to help you get those gorgeous blooms we all dream about.
What Makes Itoh Peonies Special?
If you cross herbaceous and tree peonies, you get itoh peonies, which are also called intersectional peonies.
- Huge flowers up to 8 inches across!
- Amazing color range including yellows, corals, pinks, reds and whites
- Super strong stems that don’t need staking
- Disease resistance better than regular peonies
- Long-lasting blooms that’ll make your neighbors jealous
Best Time to Plant Bare Root Itoh Peonies
The timing is super important folks! Here’s what I recommend
- Early to mid-fall is your sweet spot (September-October)
- Northern zones can push it into November with protection
- Avoid spring planting – trust me, it rarely works well
- Order bare roots early to get the best selection
Picking the Perfect Planting Spot
Your Itoh needs:
- At least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Well-draining soil (they hate wet feet!)
- Protection from strong winds
- Soil pH around 6.5-7.0 (slightly alkaline)
- Space to grow (2-3 feet between plants)
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
1. Prepare the Hole
The depth depends on your zone:
- Zones 2-4: Plant eyes 2 inches deep
- Zones 5-6: Plant eyes 1 inch deep
- Zones 7-8: Plant eyes 0.5 inch deep
Make the hole twice as wide as your bare root – they need room to spread!
2. Prep Your Bare Roots
- Unpack roots right away when they arrive
- Soak in water for 1-2 hours before planting
- Trim any damaged roots with clean pruners
- Keep those tiny fibrous roots – they’re important!
3. Planting Position
Here’s a pro tip: Position the root with:
- Eyes pointing upward
- Stem end facing south
- Growth eyes facing north
- Roots spread out evenly
4. Backfilling
- Use native soil mixed with organic matter
- Work soil between roots carefully
- Remove air pockets by gentle firming
- Create a shallow basin around base
- Water thoroughly after planting
After-Planting Care
Watering Schedule
- Water twice weekly if no rain
- About 1/2 inch each time
- Use ground-level watering to avoid leaf diseases
Fertilizing Tips
Apply balanced fertilizer:
- Early spring when shoots emerge
- When flower buds appear
- Fall before dormancy
Winter Protection
- Cut stems back to 4-6 inches after first frost
- Add 2-3 inches of organic mulch
- Don’t pile mulch against the crown
Common First-Year Challenges
Listen up – here’s what to expect:
- Few or no blooms first year (totally normal!)
- Slow initial growth while roots establish
- May take 2-3 years for full bloom display
Troubleshooting Tips
Having problems? Here are some common issues:
Not Blooming?
- Planted too deep (check depth!)
- Not enough sun
- Needs more fertilizer
- Late frost damage
Wilting Issues?
- Check drainage
- Adjust watering
- Look for botrytis signs
- Ensure proper air circulation
What to Expect Long-Term
With proper care, your Itoh peony will:
- Live for decades (50+ years!)
- Produce up to 60 blooms per mature plant
- Need dividing every 3-5 years
- Provide stunning cut flowers
Final Words of Wisdom
I can’t stress this enough: be patient with Itoh peonies! They take a while to grow, but the wait is worth it! If you plant these beauties correctly now, you’ll enjoy them for many years to come.
Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are spectacular peony gardens! Take your time, follow these steps, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the most stunning flowers in your garden.
Leave a comment below if you’d like me to explain something in more depth. I’m always happy to help other gardeners do well with these amazing plants!
Note: I wrote this guide based on my own experience growing Itoh peonies in different climates and zones. Your results may be different depending on the weather and soil where you live. ].
More About The Itoh Peonies
The Itoh peonies are called intersectional peonies. Itoh peonies share the qualities of the tree and herbaceous peonies. The plant produces leaves similar to the outdoor tree peony plants. Even so, the way it grows is similar to the herbaceous part of other shrubs. In winter, it dies back to the ground and comes back in early spring.
The plant has a woody structure but remains low to the ground instead of growing long stems. Because of this, the intersectional peonies make more than 50 flower buds the size of dinner plates, and the branches don’t need to be staked when it blows.
During bloom time, the peony buds have a sweet nectar attracting pollinators like birds and bees to the garden. You can cut the flowers from the plants and use them as arrangements. The plants can bloom for up to four weeks.
The intersectional peony plants can grow up to 2.5 feet tall and have a compact growth suitable for a perennial border. While the Itoh peonies share the qualities of their parent plants, it is a slow-growing species as the seedlings can take up to four years before bloom.
The botanical name of the Itoh peony is Paeonia CVS, and it belongs to the Paeoniaceae family. It does not have native regions, as it is a nursery hybrid that will surely fill your garden with gorgeous colors. Another fascinating thing is that you can grow them in flowerpots.
So, add your gorgeous plant with other peonies for vibrant colors to stand out on the patio.
Itoh Peony Care And Watering
When properly planted in well-drained soil, the important thing is to ensure your plants get enough water in the first growing season. So, thorough soaking is essential for the fibrous roots to become established.
While rain is enough, it helps to water them during spring and summer when you find dry spells. Frequent water is needed if you plant your peonies in sandy soil. Still, avoid overwatering and water at the base of the plant to prevent root rot and fungal disease.
When your peonies are planted in a raised flower bed with ample drainage, they can survive a winter chill below -25°F. But they do their best in warmer climates, like in zone 8. But if you live where temperatures remain freezing, they do not do well, even if they need a cool period to rest for reblooming in spring.
The plant can tolerate different humidity levels, but prolonged humid conditions will lead to fungal disease. Therefore, we recommend watering your intersectional peony well in the weeks leading to frost. Before the winter sets in, we recommend removing the leaves to prevent fungal spores in the foliage from overwintering.
Once you notice the herbaceous peony stems turning brown, clip them off to above ground level, but do not clip off the crown growth buds. Alternatively, you can add a layer of organic mulch around the plant, but it should not touch the base or crown.
Fertilizer peonies at least three times per year. In early spring, when the shoots appear and the flower buds appear, and in fall, to help with root development before winter arrives.
In spring and summer, you can fertilize most peonies with a 10-10-10 formulation, and in fall, a 5-10-10 one. Preferably use a water-soluble feed instead of a slow-release fertilizer.
With foliar feeding, you have a healthy plant with dark green foliage in the garden.
Pruning Itoh peonies is a straightforward process that helps maintain the plant’s health and appearance. Prune your Itoh peony in the fall after the leaves have turned brown and died back. This is usually in late autumn, around October or November.
Trim the stems down to ground level, about 2 inches from the soil. Itoh peonies are herbaceous perennials, meaning their growth dies entirely in the winter, so you can cut the old growth down without worry. This helps remove any potential sources of disease or pests.
If you live in an area with harsh winters, consider applying a mulch over the peony bed after pruning. This helps insulate the roots from extreme cold and may also deter weed growth in the spring. Monitor your Itoh peony for damaged or diseased stems as new growth begins in the spring.
Remove the damaged growth as needed, and also remove the spent flowers. This helps maintain the plant’s health and appearance.
Planting Bare-root Itoh Peonies in Containers
FAQ
How to plant a bare root Itoh peony?
To plant, start by digging a hole one foot deep and one and a half feet in diameter. Amend your soil, as mentioned below. Plant so that 0. 5 to 2 inches of soil cover the top of the root—peonies should be planted deeper in colder zones and shallower in warmer zones.
Should you soak bare root peonies before planting?
Plants that come with bare roots can dry out while being shipped, so it’s best to soak them in water for two to four hours before planting.
How do you plant bare root peonies?
How to plant peonies. Dig a hole larger than the roots and ensure the crown (the bud tip) is 5cm below the soil surface. Ensure you don’t plant them too deeply, as this will yield poor results. Autumn is the best time of year to plant, so your peony establishes before the next year’s growth.
How many years does it take for Itoh peony to bloom?
It might take up to three years for Itoh peony plants to reach their peak blooming stage, but the wait is worth it. They thrive best in a temperature range of 65-“75 degrees Fahrenheit.