FAQS

Thoughtful answers for choosing, growing and collecting peonies. Peonywow is an Illinois-based peony farm and wholesale supplier, with three generations dedicated to these remarkable plants.

Choosing your peonies

What is the difference between herbaceous, Itoh and tree peonies?

Herbaceous peonies make fresh stems each spring and die back for winter. Itoh, or intersectional, hybrids combine herbaceous and tree-peony ancestry and generally die back seasonally. Tree peonies retain woody stems: do not cut these to the ground in autumn.

Which peony suits my garden?

Start with your climate, sunlight and drainage, then choose flower form, color, mature size and bloom season. Many peonies thrive in Zones 3–8, but cultivar suitability and summer heat matter. In warmer areas, ask about early-flowering choices. Share your location through our contact form for help narrowing your selection.

Will a rare variety be harder to grow?

Rarity describes availability, not a universal difficulty rating. Compare the individual cultivar’s habit and growing needs. Flower appearance can vary with weather and the age of the plant; photographs are a guide, not a promise of identical blooms.

Do you offer bare roots, potted plants and cut flowers?

Yes. Availability varies by product and season. Our divisions come from 2–4-year-old plants. Check the individual listing for the actual size and format being offered; parent-plant age does not guarantee first-year flowering.

Growing with confidence

How deep should I plant a peony?

For herbaceous peonies, position the eyes about 1–2 inches below the finished soil surface. Avoid burying the crown beneath a permanent layer of mulch. Itoh divisions and grafted tree peonies need type-specific instructions; do not apply the same depth to every peony. See our Peony Care guide.

Why has my peony not flowered?

A new division may need several growing seasons to establish. On an established plant, check planting depth, shade, excessive nitrogen and competition from nearby roots. Weather can also damage buds. Healthy foliage is valuable even in a season without flowers; avoid repeatedly lifting the plant to inspect it.

Do peonies need ants to open their flowers?

No. Ants are attracted to sugary secretions around the buds, but flowers can open without them. Their presence alone is not a reason to spray. Gently check cut stems outdoors before bringing flowers inside.

Why are buds turning brown or stems collapsing?

Frost, moisture stress and fungal disease can produce similar symptoms. Improve airflow, avoid wetting foliage unnecessarily and remove affected plant material. Send clear photographs and a description of recent weather through our contact form before choosing a treatment.

Can I grow peonies in containers?

Containers require closer attention to drainage, watering and winter root protection than garden soil. Choose ample root space and keep drainage holes clear. A potted plant offered for sale is not necessarily suited to staying indefinitely in that nursery pot.

When should I prune or divide them?

Remove spent flowers while retaining healthy leaves. Clear dead herbaceous foliage in autumn, but preserve live woody stems on tree peonies. Established peonies do not need routine division; autumn is generally the preferred time to move or divide herbaceous plants.

Orders, delivery and support

When will my order be available?

Bare-root orders are scheduled for September–October. Fresh cut flowers are offered February–August, subject to availability; this is our sales window, not a claim that our Illinois fields bloom throughout that period. Potted-plant arrangements depend on the listing and confirmed order details. See Shipping & Pickup.

Where do you ship, and can I collect an order?

Retail service covers the contiguous 48 United States and Washington, DC. For wholesale orders to other regions, please inquire. Pickup requires at least 30 bare-root plants and a product subtotal over $1,500 after discounts, before tax and shipping. Both conditions must be met. Pickup and farm visits require a confirmed appointment.

What if my order arrives damaged?

Inspect all products promptly and report visible arrival issues within 24 hours, with your order number and clear photographs of the product and packaging. We review the issue and prioritize replacement; if replacement is unavailable, we refund the affected item as appropriate. Approved replacement shipping is covered by Peonywow. We do not guarantee survival or flowering after planting. See Plant Support & Refunds for full terms.

Can I cancel a bare-root order?

For customer-requested cancellation of an unshipped bare-root order, a 25% cancellation charge applies before July 1, and 40% from July 1 through August 31. From September 1, these orders are non-refundable for customer-requested cancellation. Dates follow America/Chicago time. This does not remove remedies for an order we cannot fulfill. Potted plants and cut flowers have preparation-related limits; consult our full policy.

How do I ask about a cultivar or a wholesale order?

Use our contact form and leave your email address, location, cultivar names and quantities. We will reply privately. Please do not include payment-card details.

Still have a question?

Ask Peonywow — tell us what you are growing or planning, and leave your email so we can respond.

Growing guidance draws on the American Peony Society and University of Illinois Extension. Advice is general; conditions and cultivar needs vary.