my SIL has 2 peonie plants that only have one bud each again this year, these are quite large plants. She has another plant in a different bed with the same sun exposure that is going great. What could be the problem

I'm not sure what the problem is but I do know that peonies need ants.

Poor soil. She probable needs to ammend the soil.

that was my first thought but these dont even have buds for the ants to feed on...all leaves 1 bud

got any recommendations

It could be the soil, it could be the depth it's planted. Has she been pruning the non-blooming one at all? She may be prunning off at the wrong time.

Is she top dressing the plant (adding soil and making in fact deeper than it was)? Side dress peonies only.

Is the clump too large? Does it need to be divided?

I'll watch for more ideas as this is my second year of transplanted peonie sections. I clipped off the 2 blooms that formed last year in hopes that the energy would go directly to the plant.

ETA I found this website - looks like it's full of helpful information. I'm going to recheck my depth tomorrow and remove the layer of mulch I have on top of the plant.

http://www.weekendgardener.net/peren...ony-100810.htm

It says too much nitrogen causes plants to leaf and not flower. use a 10-20-20 fertilizer

I've heard that you should put your ashes from the fireplace where the peonies are planted. (After it has cooled for course) Not sure if it is true.

Mine was planted too deep and did not bloom until I moved it and it wasn't planted as deep.

When I was a kid growing up my dad did this and his peonies always had tons of huge blooms.


PS....you can only move peonies in the fall of the year. If you move them any other time, they will die.

Check with Park Seed co., in Greenwood, S.C. They have a web site. I have asked them many questions and always get a quick response.
Just looking at their web site is fun, so many beautiful plants.