Question
Dear Tom,
Our house was mostly destroyed in a tornado and I have my husband's grandfather's Peonies to save before it is torn down.  How can I keep them for a few months and still have them live. I understand they may not bloom but I need them to live through this....M
Joplin MO

Answer
Hi Miriam,
First of all let me express my heartfelt best wishes for you, your family and the people of Joplin at this difficult time.  I'm here in Kansas City and many of us up here have connections in SW Missouri and Joplin.

Secondly, thanx for your question.  If you have to do this now, cut the foliage off to about a few inches above the ground.  Dig up the rhizomes and if you cannot immediately replant them, place them large pots and cover with soil.  Keep them in as cool of a place as you can (in a basement) and while you may need to water to keep the soil from drying out completely, don't allow the soil to become muddy or sit in water because the rhizomes will die.  As soon as you can before the ground freezes, plant the rhizomes where you want them to be permanently.  Generally, peonies hate being moved so they may not bloom for 1-2 seasons.  I hope this helps.
Tom