Shirley Temple Double Peony
$35.00
The Shirley Temple Double Peony is a stunner and is beloved by so many for good reason. Its light pink buds open up to these gorgeous, fragrant, medium to large rose-shaped pale blush pink blossoms that fade to elegant ivory white as they age.
Ours are currently in either 3 or 5-gallon grow bags, very ready to be planted in the ground this fall!
***Peonies will be available this fall (2023) as bare root! Stay tuned.
Out of stock
Description
Is the Shirley Temple Double Peony right for you?
You honestly can’t go wrong with peonies. They are hardy, low maintenance, can live up to 100 years when cared for properly (wow!), and are deer and rabbit resistant! It doesn’t get much better than that. Oh, and butterflies love me!
My blooms last 7 – 10 days in late spring to early summer (mid-season) which may require staking to prevent snapping. These stunning blooms are quite large and can weigh the stem down. I also don’t like high winds so keep me in a sheltered location.
When I’m not in bloom, my vibrant green leaves are still beautiful and hold their health until the first frost. In the fall, I will usually turn a beautiful yellow or golden tone before dying back.
Another thing to keep in mind about peonies is that they can be cranky about transplantation. It’s best to find an ideal location for them and let them stay. Around September-October is typically the best time to transplant peonies so if you’d like, I can stay in my bag until then.
Herbaceous peonies, like the Shirley Temple, die back every year in the fall. This is normal. Once the first frost has killed the leaves, cut the peony stems back to the base, leaving about 2 – 3 inches only. Dig a hole deep enough that the roots easily fit. However, do not plant the peony eyes any deeper than 1 – 2 inches below the soil surface. Too deep and the peonies will not bloom. Here are some excellent instructions on transplanting and dividing peonies for your reference.
Plant peonies together that bloom at different times (early, mid, or late season) for a long-lasting flower show! Just be aware that newly planted peonies can take up to 2 years to adjust before flowering again. Â
Mature size:Â 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
Spacing: 3 – 4 feet apart is usually adequate
Sun requirements: I love sun and need 6 – 8+ hours of direct sun daily; however, I can tolerate dappled afternoon shade for those hot summer months
Water & soil:Â I like moist, well-draining soil.
Fertilizer: Peonies do not want to be overly fertilized. Once every 3 to 4 years is plenty. When planting, get the soil nice and loose, and add a little bonemeal (affiliate) or aged compost to the hole. This should be plenty to keep me happy for a while.
Diseases: One of the best things about peonies is how hardy, pest and disease resistant they are! You might need to watch out for honey fungus or peony wilt, but otherwise, I am very low maintenance.
Good companion plants: Mock Orange, Hydrangea, Phlox, Coneflower
