My prized peonies...in my veg patch

[taffetacat]

We had a big refurb on the house last year and had to move my prized peonies which were near the house into the veg patch at the bottom of the garden temporarily so they didn't get trashed by the builders. I know they sulk for a year or so when moved, but I really don't want their permanent home to be in the veg patch.....

Their buds are just starting to poke through. Could I get away with moving them now? I really need the space in the veg patch for my bean collection.....don't want to wait until they have flowered if possible.

Any advice much appreciated.

You could certainly try.
I moved a Peony one autumn and it flowered the following summer.
From what I've read its important not to plant them too deeply, which can be what causes them not to flower...

www.claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk/plantlistp/growing%20peonies.html

Like what the Pannacotta says.

There was a RHS article on this in the Garden a year or so ago, and I think it was Claire Austin who said that not moving paeonies is a myth.

BTW, Taffeta, have you considered subscribing to The Garden or getting RHS membership? If you read the mag monthly, you do pick up a lot of solid factual information (that you can then trot out to impress people), unlike with many other gardening mags.

Thanks guys. That article on the link is interesting Pannacotta, says they send them out to plant up til March, so I am taking this as the green light to shift. I have my fingers in my ears, metaphorically, having seen the link at the bottom of the page to the Peony Society. < swoon >

GrendelsMum - I have bought the Garden a couple of times but maybe a subscription would be a good idea. Shame the DC aren't old enough to get it for me for Mother's Day.