Staking My Herbaceous Peonies
The gardens at my Bedford, New York farm are changing every single day.
One of the most anticipated sights on the farm is my herbaceous peony garden in full bloom. No garden is complete without these beautiful plants, which are covered with large, imposing flowers in May and June. True perennials, herbaceous peonies can live for 100-years, becoming more impressive over time. Last week, my outdoor grounds crew staked all the herbaceous peonies in the garden across from my Winter House. At maturity, these plants grow to about three-feet tall and need good support, so the massive flower heads don’t droop to the ground once they bloom.
Here are some photos of our process, enjoy.
-
- Around this time every year, when the herbaceous peonies are about a foot off the ground, my outdoor grounds crew puts up stakes, so the peonies are well-supported.
-
- We use these metal stakes I designed – each metal support has two eyes, one at the top and one in the middle for twine.
-
- We use jute twine for many gardening projects around the farm. Twine like this is available in large spools online and in some specialty garden supply shops.
-
- Here, Chhewang inserts a stake every five-feet around the perimeter of each row. My peony garden is planted with 11 double rows of 22 herbaceous peony plants, 44 in each row of the same variety.
-
- Each of the stakes is positioned, so they eye faces the same direction.
-
- Chhiring secures twine from one end of the row to the other to make sure the stakes are lined up properly.
-
- Using twine to guide the stakes saves a lot of time measuring the placement of each upright.
-
- Chhiring makes sure each stake is stable – at least six inches into the ground.
-
- Herbaceous peonies are very hardy perennials and thrive in USDA zones 3 to 8. Look how much they’ve grown already – they will all be blooming in just a matter of weeks.
-
- Here is a closer look at one plant – you can see the bud growing in the center. I planted various peony flower types: single, semi-double, double and anemone-type blossoms.
-
- Once all the stakes are in place, the crew laces twine through the middle stake eyes all the way around the row, and then through the top stake eyes all the way around.
-
- At one end a simple yet secure knot is tied.
-
- The twine is wrapped taut around each row – this will hold those heavy blooms very nicely.
-
- Then jute twine is tied in a zigzag pattern in between the plants.
-
- A row of stakes in the middle of the bed helps to create this zigzag effect.
-
- Here is what it looks like from above the beds – very neat and tidy.
-
- This pattern allows good support from every direction. Herbaceous peonies need an area with fertile, well drained soil and full sun.
-
- Here, it is easy to see how well the peonies grow in this location. Some are two-feet tall already. I staggered plantings to prolong the blooming season: some bloom earlier than others, extending the amount of time the plants are in blossom.
-
- Here, you can see several rows of peonies – some are taller than others.
-
- Peonies are native throughout the northern hemisphere and have been cultivated for centuries both in Europe and Asia.
-
- Look at all the beautiful buds growing from this plant. All of the plants were purchased from a single nursery: Klehm’s Song Sparrow Nursery in Avalon, Wisconsin. http://www.songsparrow.com/
-
- The stakes and twine create such an artistic and geometric pattern.
-
- These herbaceous peonies are all surrounded in the garden within a hedge of rounded boxwood shrubs, making it a focal point on the property and in the overall landscape here at my farm.
-
- In just a few short weeks, this garden will be filled with stunning shades of pink and white. I am so happy to say, this garden is a huge success and joy every year.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
