Question
I am looking into starting a container garden.  I wanted a peony as the major part and I was wondering in you can plant a peony bush in a container and if so, how large would it need to be. Would it need any special care or soil?
Thanks
Vila

Answer
The Peony is one of my favorite plants. I really love the big, flowers every summer.
So, I have over the years tried to include them in my portable container garden. I carefully planted them in good soil, and tended to them faithfully.
The plants grew, and I potted them up to large containers.
But, with all that care and attention, I must say, the flowers were very disappointing. If they flowered at all, the flowers were small, and short lived. So I have some big containers now, that have big leafy shrubs in them, waiting to be planted in a garden, and not moved anymore.
The moral of this story is, while they can grow in containers, don't count on the beautiful blooms that they have in the garden.
There are other plants that will be as attractive.
For a nice annual, try State fair Zinnia, or  a large flowered Dahlia. They come in a variety of colors, and can be under planted with smaller draping plants, like Bacopa, or Million bells.
If you want real drama, buy a 24 inch container, and put a mix of plants. A favorite formula is something spiky in the center, a medium "filler" flower around that, and then, something hanging over the edge. For continuity, don't use more the seven different plants, and choose them  at the nursery so you can see how they will look together, before you buy them. Be sure to pay attention to the size of the plants. For the most color, all summer, use annuals. They won't come back the next year, but they will bloom for a longer time. Pansies are good for the time from fall to spring if you DON'T have very cold freezes.
I usually say that you can grow anything, that you grow in the ground, in a container. But, I need to add, that while it may grow, it may not perform as well.
bakerplanter