Question
Hello.

I am being forced to move from my home and my 14 peonies.  They are anywhere from 1 to 8 years old. Some have just produced foliage and some defy even Lee Valley peony rings. I am forced to become a balcony gardener and would very much like to know the following:

What is the smallest dimension of a pot in which a peony can be placed?.  Some of mine are still at the state such that they produced fewer than 5 flowers last year. And, if I move them as they are breaking dormancy in the spring, is there any possibility that they will bloom next May? These are not permanent locations. My choice is to try and move them or lose them altogether (unbearable!) so any guidance would be most welcomes.

Donna Mack (who has utilized this forum very happily in the past and is very grateful for your help).

Answer
Hi Donna,
Thanx for your question.  You can grow peonies in containers.  I recommend 16-20" containers about 18-24 inches deep.  Give them some well composted manure.  Don't use a high nitrogen fertilizer.  You'll need to separate the rhizomes every 4 or 5 years as the plants will get large.  Unfortunately, peonies deeply resent being moved.  It has been my experience that after being moved, they will not flower for 1-3 seasons, usually 2.  Someone might chime in out of nowhere and say, "but mine did" and that's entirely possible it's just that in general, the plants will not flower for the first year or two.  Just make sure you give them full sun during their growth period.  Don't cut back the green until September.  Keep them watered pretty well and a side dressing of well-composted manure in mid-summer and then in early spring right after the last frost.  I hope this helps.
Tom