How to Transplant Peonies

Whether you’re moving or your peony isn’t blooming like it should, transplanting peonies to another location is a very simple task. This step-by-step tutorial will show how to transplant peonies.

When to Transplant Peonies

Ideally, peonies should be transplanted in September, October, or November after they have bloomed. Transplanting in the fall is best because peonies are approaching dormancy during those months. Peonies will experience less stress if transplanted in the fall. 

Why Transplant Peonies

There are different reasons for transplanting peony bushes.

Lack of Growth

If your peony is failing to produce a substantial amount of blooms it may not be receiving enough sunlight. Peonies require at least 8 hours of full sun to reach their full potential. So if yours haven’t done well the past few years, it may be time to transplant them to a sunnier spot.

Moving

Some people wish to take their peonies with them when they move from one house to another. This is understandable, especially if the peonies are heirloom and there’s sentimental value.

Moving is why I transplanted twelve of my peony bushes.

Dividing

If you’re wanting to thin out your peonies or increase the number of peonies in your yard. Dividing and transplanting them is the way to do it.

Supplies Needed to Transplant Peonies

Transplanting a peony bush is very easy and requires only a few supplies.

• shovel
• container or tarp
• compost

How to Transplant Peonies

1. Determine New Location

When determining the location for your peony, be sure the spot has the following qualities:

• receives at least 8 hours of hours of full sun
• the soil is well-draining
• there’s good air circulation
• plenty of space to grow

2. Dig Up the Peony Bush

So you can determine the size of the hole you’ll need to dig, begin by digging up the peony you wish to transplant.

When digging up the peony, you want to get as much as the root system as possible. Measure 20 inches from the center of the peony bush.

Dig straight down with the shovel, pry the root ball, remove the shovel from the soil, dig straight down, and pry the root ball. The rootball should become easy to pry and lift out of the hole with the shovel.

Don’t lift the peony by the stems. Set the peony in a container or on a tarp and transport it to the new location.

Sometimes the peony will divide itself by falling apart once it is dug up. If this happens, put the sections back together in the new hole or plant the sections in different holes or give the sections to a friend to plant.

When we moved my peonies from our old house to our new house, I used plastic kiddie pools to transport them from one house to the other.

3. Dig the Hole

Set the peony that’s being transplanted on the spot where you wish to plant it.

Using the shovel, dig straight down around the peony rootball to mark how large the hole needs to be.

Remove the rootball from the spot and dig the hole. Adjust the size and depth of the hole by placing the rootball in the hole and adjusting accordingly.

Dig the hole 2-3 inches deeper and wider than the rootball to make room for the compost/soil mix.

When putting peonies in the ground, you want to plant the eyes 2 inches below the soil surface in cold regions and 1 inch in warm zones. If you plant them too deep, they won’t grow or grow as well.

4. Prepare the Soil

Give your transplanted peony a great start by adding compost to the new hole. Add in some of the native soil to create a 50/50 mix. The compost will provide nourishment for the rootball.

5. Plant the Peony

Set the peony rootball into the hole on top of 2-3 inches of the compost mix. Fill in around the peony with the compost mix.

6. Water the Peony

If it’s still rather warm outside, water the peony. If you fail to water the peony, it may become stressed.

When to Expect Blooms After Transplanting

Your peony may not produce blooms the first blooming season after transplant. But don’t worry, the peony may need more time to get acclimated to its new location. You can expect to see great blooms the second season after transplantation.

FAQ

Can you transplant a peony from one house to another?

Yes! You can even dig up a peony and transplant it in another state. Just make sure the rootball stays moist but not wet.

Do peonies transplant well?

Peonies transplant very well because peonies are durable plants.

How late can you transplant peonies?

You can transplant a peony as late as October or November. Don’t transplant after the first freeze.

Can you move an established peony bush?

An established peony bush is the best type of peony to move because it’s most likely to be the healthiest.

Can peonies be moved after blooming?

It’s best to move peonies after they have bloomed for the season.