During my initial summer in Alaska, my fellow residents presented me with an exquisite bunch of vibrant pink flowers that were entirely unfamiliar to me. As I decorated my living space with these splendid blooms, I couldn’t help but gaze at them in awe for extended periods. Subsequently, I discovered that these flowers are known as peonies (Paeonia spp.), and they hold significant importance in Alaska’s culture. It turns out that many Alaskan gardeners cultivate these resilient blossoms, well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8.

To assist you in finding relevant items, we provide links to vendors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. Peonies come in three types: herbaceous, tree, and intersectional. All of them are perennials that live for a long time. The herbaceous variety is a perennial shrub that requires a period of dormancy and cold before blooming again in spring, while the tree variety can grow up to six feet tall and loses all its leaves in fall, remaining bare-branched throughout winter. Intersectional or Itoh peonies are a hybrid cross between the herbaceous and tree types and have huge flowers that bloom for up to three weeks, longer than either herbaceous or tree types. Petals can be single, double, or semi-double depending on the cultivar. For more information on how to grow these beautiful flowers and learn about different varieties, refer to our growing guide. As you might have guessed from the descriptions, peony plants sleep during wintertime.

Do you know how much dormancy your peony requires during winter? Are you aware of the number of hours it needs to be exposed to cold temperatures? Moreover, do you have any idea on how to keep your peony warm during winter? Fret not, for this guide will provide you with all the necessary information you need to care for your peonies during wintertime.

Let’s begin by discussing one crucial aspect of peony care during the winter season – cold exposure. Surprisingly, the stunning Paeonia demands more attention to winter care if you reside in Zone 7 or 8 compared to those living in Zone 3 or 4.

Different peony varieties require a certain amount of chilling hours, which usually range from 500 to 1,000 hours equivalent to about 20 to 42 days of temperatures between 32 to 40°F. Chilling hours induce bud development, which is crucial for spring blooming. If you’re residing in Zone 3-5, where temperatures go below freezing point for at least one month or six months at most, peonies will thrive even with longer freezing time. However, if you live in Zones 6-8, which may not have almost freezing temperatures for a month, keeping peonies cold becomes a challenge. Since peonies don’t grow from bulbs, trying to force them indoors isn’t advisable. But fret not, some tips can help you keep your peonies cold enough through a Zone 6, 7, or 8 winter. Planting depth plays a vital role in the growth of peonies as they grow from tuberous roots with “eyes” that sprout new shoots. For those in Zones 3-5, planting the tuber two inches below the soil surface, where the little pink eyes are visible, ensures optimal growth.

To ensure that your peonies thrive and produce beautiful blooms, it’s important to plant them at the correct depth. Use a ruler to measure two inches deep for planting in most areas, but if you’re in Zones 6 and 7, plant them just one inch below the surface, and in Zone 8, half an inch below. The reason for these variations is that peonies in colder areas need more protection during winter. When it comes to cutting them back, the method depends on the type of peony you have. But in all cases, wait until the leaves have naturally died back, usually after the first frost, and then cut herbaceous stems to about an inch above soil level.

It’s important to dispose of trimmed vegetation properly by throwing it in a garbage can instead of adding it to your compost pile. This prevents any diseases from infecting your plants the following season. When it comes to trees in the fall, there’s no need for special care. You can lightly prune them in the spring to maintain their shape if desired. Check out our upcoming guide on how to prune peonies. For intersectional cultivars, prune them back to four to six inches in height, leaving one or two growth nodules on each branch. In colder regions, consider cutting intersectional peonies down to an inch above ground to ensure the buds survive the winter. Use plant markers to avoid stepping on your peonies during wintertime. Mulching may not be necessary and sometimes it’s best to skip it altogether to keep your peony healthy throughout the winter.

Planting depth plays a vital role in the well-being of peonies. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the impact of adding mulch on top of the soil. Even an inch of mulch can affect the plant’s growth and ability to bloom. I learned this lesson the hard way after spreading mulch around the crown of my peony, which didn’t take kindly to that treatment. Eventually, I relocated it to my flower bed, where it flourished without any mulch. However, my furry friend wasn’t as impressed and dug it up, mistaking it for a stick I buried.

To keep newly planted peonies warm during winter in Zones 3-5, it is advisable to add a thin layer of breathable mulch such as straw. However, it is important not to place the mulch too close to the stem of the plant, as this can cause unwanted moisture to accumulate around the root and lead to disease. On the other hand, those in Zones 6-8 should avoid using mulch altogether, as planting the eyes just below the surface exposes them to the cold air they need. For those in warmer climates (Zones 7-9), choosing the right cultivar is crucial for success. Look for early blooming, single or semi-double flowered varieties that are better suited to warmer temperatures. One example is ‘Green Lotus’, an attractive and early-blooming cultivar.

Introducing the ‘Green Lotus’ – a stunning flower with a unique blend of light green and pink petals that will surely turn heads in your neighborhood. Its beauty is so captivating that you’ll find yourself admiring it every time you pass by. To add this gem to your garden, you can easily purchase tubers for planting in the fall online at Eden Brothers. Another beautiful early bloomer to consider is the ‘Julia Rose’ Itoh hybrid, which is also one of my personal favorites.

Discover the delightful ‘Julia Rose’ plant, boasting semi-double petals that exude a pleasant fragrance. These petals come in an array of pink shades, and the plant can produce up to 50 blooms within a season. If you’re interested in planting ‘Julia Rose’, it’s available for the fall season at Eden Brothers.