Question
Hello from New Brunswick, Canada:I have had a peony plant for quite a few years now but it has never flowered..never even had a bud. Every fall I cut it down and every spring it comes back up. It reaches a height of about 18 inches and then stops growing. It does that year after year... I keept it because at least its greenery. Any suggestions or comments?
Thank you...BM

Answer
Bob,
welcome to the world of frustrated Peony lovers! Don't fell bad.I transplanted some peonies that were in a weed bed at a customers neglected garden.I waited until they quit blooming and then transplanted them.That was 2 years ago. So far,one bloom from one plant out of 10,and a faded unattrative white at that. The darn things don't like to be uprooted and will stubbornly refuse to bloom for years. Not much you can do but wait. But I will give you sources anyway to delve further into the problem.

Wayside Gardens is a great detailed site and catalog.You may have to order a free catalog to get extensive details though. Also White Flower Farm.They have a website but a much better catalog. I believe it is also free.
Here are a few more places to check out: www.perennials.com,Walters Perennial Gardens,Bailey's Nursery,Van Bourgondien $ sons,McClure & Zimmerman,Brecks Bulbs,Jackson & Perkins. Also I use Google constantly when I am in a hurry for answers.Type in Peony and it will give you many many sources. Also GardenWeb,which I am a memmber,but it doesn't matter.It will take you to Hortiplex dictionary type sources.

Don't give up yet.Theres always a solution or sometimes i just ignore plants and sometimes they will surprise you at the most unexpected times. Good luck in all your gardening endeavours!