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Peony planting time
Gardening columnist L.A. Jackson explains why September is the ideal time to plant cool season vegetables, spring-flowering bulbs and herbaceous peony plants.
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September is the right month to plant herbaceous peony varieties including Garden Lace (shown).
Photo by L.A. Jackson
Every spring, I am so-o-o-o tempted to buy herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora) plants because their potential for fabulous flower shows is hard to resist. But I usually pass—not because I am a tightwad, mind you, but rather because I know such plants with their still-developing roots will struggle to survive their first year in the garden if summertime weather dials up the heat and turns off the rain.
Instead, I wait for September. This is the prime time to plant peony tubers in our state. Sure, they won’t have the instant eye-candy gratification of bloom-festooned plants—it can take years before their first flowers appear—but, as is typical in gardening, patience pays off. Tubers planted now will have the full fall and winter seasons without the burden of supporting sprouting leaves and limbs to cultivate strong root systems capable of sustaining a newbie peony through its initial growing season and beyond.
Peony tubers can now be found in local garden centers. They are also offered online, of course, but picking out your own allows you to select chubby tubers that have at least four to five pinkish "eyes." This is important if you want peonies that become mature, flowering showoffs in just a few years.
For better bloom production, plant peonies in a spot that basks in early sun but is partially shaded from harsh afternoon rays. Prepare a hole for each tuber that is at least a foot deep and wide, and mix in plenty of compost or quality commercial garden soil. The tops of the tubers should be no more than an inch below ground.
So, which pretty peony should you pick? In the South, it is better to go with selections that need less “chill hours”—professional growers’ speak for long stretches of low winter temperatures.
Consider time-tested selections for Southern gardens such as Sarah Bernhardt (introduced in 1906), a popular choice with pleasing, double-pink flowers; Monsieur Jules Elie (1888), that sports light pink, double blooms; Festiva Maxima (1851), a perfumed, double-white charmer; Nymphe (1913), with fragrant, blushing pink blossoms; or the raspberry dazzler Felix Crousse (1881).
As for newer cultivars, good performers in this region include Garden Lace (pale pink petals embracing soft yellow hearts), Miss America (frilly white with golden centers), Blaze (simmering single red flowers surrounding glowing yellow cores), and Prairie Moon (buttery-hued blooms complemented by bright yellow middles).
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September in the garden
• Even with the summer garden becoming a memory, there is still plenty of growin’ to be done in the veggie patch. This month is a good time to plant such cool-season crunchies as carrots, chard, beets, kale, turnips, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, collards and radishes.
• Falling leaves will soon provide plenty of organic fuel for the creation of a compost pile, so find and clear a good location to make a big batch of this all-natural soil conditioner for the garden next spring.
• Curb your fetish to fertilize outdoor garden plants with high-nitrogen products now. September is not the time to encourage tender, new growth on ornamentals because they need to “toughen up” while they are preparing for the coming winter.
• Perennial herbs such as mints, parsley, chives and lemon balm can now be divided. And while you are at it, think about fixing up a few pots of these helpful herbs for an indoor kitchen garden this winter. For the best results, place the pots in a sunny, southern-facing window.
Tip of the month
The beginning of autumn will find garden centers starting to offer their annual selections of fall-planted, spring-blooming bulbs, and while buying early will get you the best selections, planting early could result in a poor flower show next year. Let the soil cool down so it won’t cause dormant bulbs to start growing too soon. Usually, late October into November (and even December on the coast) are good planting times. Until then, store your bought bulbs in a cool place. The refrigerator makes an ideal “chiller” as long as the bulbs are kept away from ripening fruits, which emit ethylene gas that could have detrimental effects on the bulbous sleeping beauties.
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.