Like every other woman in America, I LOVE peonies. Their lush petals contain the most delightful scent. Did you know that You Can Grow Peonies in Texas?
You Can Grow Peonies in Texas
Three years ago when we moved into Storybook Cottage I began to study the English Garden look. One floral staple is the peony.
I was so disappointed when I read that peonies were rarely successful to grow in the lower south. We live in a suburb of Fort Worth which is considered to be Zone 8/Zone 8a. I decided to give it a try anyway since the 16 oak trees in our garden keep most of the areas cool and shaded.
Planting in Zone 8
There are certain varieties of peonies that can sometimes grow in Zone 8/Zone 8a. One is the Sarah Bernhardt which looks like this:
Imagine my delight during the springtime three years ago when I saw some bare root peonies for sale at the garden center. They were cheap enough that if my experiment failed it would be ok.
Most of the gardening sites said that if you had clay soil (I do) to plant the root in a pot. So I did. That first year my two peony plants were not very happy.
A tornado came through the second year and took out half of our backyard. I dug my two battered peony plants out of their broken pots and quickly replanted them directly into the soil under a large oak tree following these guidelines.
Thrive or Die
A funny thing happened. By November the plants were thriving better than they ever had in the pots with the fancy schmancy soil. You can see one plant under the tree next to the coleus plant. The other is hidden behind the clay pot.
It would take three years before the plant would bloom. This spring I held my breath because this would be THE year. I watched the two plants like a hawk making sure they were getting enough water.
I about lost my mind when I saw tiny buds forming.
It would seem that ants have an infinity for the buds. I could not find out why. I am assuming that the buds have a sweet nectar. But the ants do not harm the flowers. Please, do not spray them. As a rule, we do not use pesticides at Storybook Cottage. It harms our precious pollinators like the butterfly and honeybee.
Last Sunday after three long years of waiting I was finally greeted with a lush and heavenly scented bloom that I shared on Instagram.
Three days later I had another and it appears there are more coming. I cannot begin to tell you the joy and pride I feel in growing such beauty.
Do you grow or enjoy peonies?
Laura
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They’re beautiful, Laura. I love peonies (not so much the ants they bring in!). My bushes don’t do terribly well and aren’t in a spot where I can see them all that well either. I think they need a little more care!
Congratulations on growing those, Laura!! They’re beautiful.
Yes, I grow Peonies in one of my many gardens and funny thing about the Ants – mine never have any. It’s an old-wive’s-tale that so many believe you must have the ants in order for the blooms to open. Simply not true! Just like you shared, they’re simply attracted to the nectar. Instead of ants, I had a lot of wasps visiting mine. Anyway…. mine are in full bloom right now as well, which we’re so much farther north than you, it’s kind of a surprise that we’re apparently on the same growing schedule this year. We here in Central IL however, have experienced a very beautiful, WARM, May and in fact the past couple of weeks have been downright hot like summer weather and this weekend, we’re pushing near 100 degrees so no surprise I guess that after all the cold and snow we had in April, that things really rebounded quickly.
Happy Gardening!
Love, Linda
Laura, I love peonies and wondered why you never see them here in Texas. Now I know why thanks to you. Yours are just beautiful. Cheers to you my Texas friend!
Yours are beautiful. Great job.
Like you, I adore peonies. I have a couple of peony plants in my yard and one of them gets bigger every year. Last year it was overlowing in peony blossoms and oh, how my heart swooned 🙂 I am so glad you’re able to grow them where you live for they are truly beautiful.
Hugs! Stephanie-The Enchanting Rose
Your peonies are beautiful! We had some in Oklahoma and the blooms would be so big and heavy they would droop towards the ground. You shared fantastic advice! 🙂
I also love peonies…Maybe if you can do this in Texas, I can give it a try in New Mexico..with our .clay “soil”, dry and crazy hot conditions. 🙂
I’ve been thinking of trying peonies! We’re in Zone 7a – I’ll have to look up whether they grow well in TN. Thanks for the tips!
Sarah Bernhardt are one of my favorite Peonies. I am so glad you were successful in your zone 8 garden. The Peonies require the ants for the blooms to open. They exude a wax-like substance in the sap that if not eaten away by the ants prevents them from opening. For a few years my husband unknowingly sprayed the ants. I could not figure out why I had healthy plants and the buds would be just starting to show color and then would never open. I spoke with the University of MN Ag Department and found out that they require those pesky ants! It is also critical that they be planted at the right depth. Too deep and they will never bloom! Karl Rosefield may also do well for you and make a beautiful companion plant to the Sarah Bernhardt! Thanks for sharing your beautiful Peonies!
Hello Laura. I have never grown Peonies but would love to try. I live in South Australia and have a cottage garden. I must look out for some. You have given me the inspiration. Yours are so lovely, I can understand how excited you are to have finally grown them.
Jeanette ann
I envy your peonies. I live in zone 9b in central Florida and they don’t grow here. Love the pink! Visiting from MAy Garden Party
Laura, your peonies are gorgeous! I never see them in my part of Texas, either. It’s been a pleasure sharing the blog hop and link party with you! Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Yay for you Laura! I do love Peonies!! Mine are just starting to bloom. I recently learned that the ants are important. They lick the sugar off the buds and help them to open. They say, no ants; no blooms. Who knew? 🙂 Thanks for sharing with the spring link party.
hugs,
Jann
If anyone can get peonies to grow in Texas it’s you!
I have two sarah bernhardt peonies, here they are still in the t ight bud stage. The ants are necessary for the peony blossoms to open, so never seek to kill them.
Will bee balm (monarda) grow in Tx? I just got some purple ones that are gorgeous next to the pink peonies.
Well done, Laura! Yes, I grow peonies and they are blooming just now, lush and beautiful. And I went to the nursery garden yesterday for something else and came home with another peony plant – white this time. How I love them.
What a thrill to get blooms. I love that variety. That is so interesting about the ants. Is that true on other plants? Some of my camilleas get ants. I always thought the ants were eating aphids.
They like your spot so I would buy a few more plants.
I have always wanted to grow peonies but I live near Houston and just don’t think they would make it here. So glad you had success with yours!
Laura,
After buying a plant two summers ago, I finally have a bud that bloomed just this morning. I’m like a new mother enjoying her new baby; and I just shared it this morning on IG. Talk about happy feet!! You’re very fortunate to have these blossoms where you live. We still have more buds, but will have to wait and see if any more bloom!