Herbaceous peony

Paeonia lactiflora

A tuberous root. A true root swollen with food. It has no buds of its own: new shoots come only from the crown where the roots join the old stem.

Whole

Cut open

Store	Tuberous root. A cluster of fat fingers joined at a crown; a finger with no crown piece will not sprout.
Depth	3-5 cm to the base of the tuberous root
Spacing	90 cm apart
When	Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. Work out your dates.
Pets	Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses (ASPCA)

About Herbaceous peony

A crown of fat storage roots with red buds called eyes. Planting too deep is the commonest reason peonies do not bloom.

Depth and spacing

Typical range: 3-5 cm deep and 90 cm apart. A general rule is to plant at two to three times the height of the tuberous root; check the label for your variety. The drawing is to scale for 4 cm deep and 90 cm apart (the size of the organ is illustrative); try your own measurements.

When to plant

Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. These are rules of thumb for the northern hemisphere. Enter your frost dates for real dates.

Dividing and propagating

Divide in early autumn: lift the crown, wash it, cut into pieces each with three to five eyes and a root system. Slow to settle.

Lifting and storing

Not stored. Replant immediately.

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses

The ASPCA lists Paeonis officinalis as: toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses. Toxic principle: Paeonol. Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression If your pet has chewed any part, call your vet or an animal poison helpline. ASPCA entry.