Staking My Herbaceous Peonies at the Farm
The gardens at my Bedford, New York farm are evolving every 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 gardeners and outdoor grounds crew staked all the herbaceous peonies in the bed 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 flop over once they bloom.
Here are some photos of our process, enjoy.
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- In early April, most of the herbaceous peonies begin emerging from the ground.
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- This photo was taken April 11th when the stems were about four to five inches tall.
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- But they grow very quickly and need to be supported to protect the large heavy flowers. Ring stakes designed for peonies can be found at most garden supply shops – just be sure to put them on early, so the stems can grow easily within the rings.
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- A few weeks later, once the stems are about a foot in height, it’s time to stake each of the rows of peonies, so they are well-bolstered as they mature.
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- Instead of rings, I use these metal stakes that I designed myself. Each metal support has two eyes, one at the top and one in the middle.
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- We use a natural jute twine for this project and for many gardening projects around the farm. Twine like this is available in large spools online and in some specialty garden supply shops.
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- The first step is to insert a stake every four-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.
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- Each of the stakes is positioned, so the eyes face the same direction. Peonies are native throughout the northern hemisphere and have been cultivated for centuries both in Europe and Asia.
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- Herbaceous peonies are very hardy perennials and thrive in USDA zones 3 to 8. These plants will all be blooming in just a matter of weeks. All of the peonies were purchased from a single nursery: Klehm’s Song Sparrow Nursery in Avalon, Wisconsin. http://www.songsparrow.com/
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- 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.
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- Once all the stakes are in place, the crew laces twine through the middle stake eyes in a zigzag pattern all the way down the row. Herbaceous peonies need an area with fertile, well-drained soil and full sun.
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- It is easier to do the bottom row first, so the taller plants can be gently positioned within the twine sections. 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.
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- Gavin makes sure the twine is fed through the eyes properly while checking that each stake is straight and stable – at least six inches into the ground.
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- Here is a look at how the twine zigzags down the row.
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- Chhewang works from the opposite end feeding the twine through the eyes.
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- Chhewang and Gavin do one row at a time. It takes several hours to do all the beds, but it’s the perfect time to stake them since they are not yet full height.
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- Once all the lower eyes are strung, Chhewang moves onto the upper stake eyes and ties a simple yet secure knot at one end.
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- And then the twine is carried through in the same manner as before.
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- The jute twine is tied in a zigzag pattern in between the plants. I designed the eyes so they would be big enough for many passes of twine.
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- Another line of twine is also secured around the entire row to hold all those heavy blooms at the edge.
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- Here, it is easy to see how well the peonies grow in this location. I staggered plantings to prolong the blooming season: some bloom earlier than others, extending the amount of time the plants are in blossom.
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- Here is what a row looks like all done – very neat and tidy, and every peony plant supported by twine. The stakes and twine create such an artistic and geometric pattern.
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- This pattern allows support from every direction. 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.
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