Peony Bulbs - Shirley Temple

Now taking pre-orders for fall 2024. This item is a pre-order and is not expected to ship until early October. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product will ship separately. This product only ships to the lower 48 states. No shipping outside the USA. 365+ Days to maturity. Fall Planting. Spring Blooming Peony lactiflora ‘Shirley Temple’. Shirley Temple Peony Flower Bulbs. Non-GMO, hybrid. Perennial in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Deer resistant. Rabbit Resistant Attracts pollinators and butterflies. Displays white blooms in the late spring to early summer. Recommended for growing in garden beds. In the landscape peonies are great for use as a cut flower, border, or background plant. It has an upright, bushy growth habit with tolerance to deer and rabbits due to their bitter taste and fragrant blooms. Shirley Temple flowers are toxic if consumed by humans, dogs, cats, and horses. They are reliable and vigorous as they return year after year. The large, fragrant, and fluffy blooms are an intoxicatingly delightful addition to any spring garden. Latin Name: Peony lactiflora ‘Shirley Temple’ Hardiness Zone: Perennial in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Planting Depth: 1-2 inches. Dig a generous hole and plant so the top of the roots are covered with no more than 1-2 inches of soil. Plant Spacing: 36-48 Inches Plant Height: 24-36 Inches Plant Width: 24-48 Inches Plant Spread: 24-48 Inches Growth Habit: Upright and bushy Soil Preference: Humus-rich and well-draining with a neutral pH. Heavy or sandy soil should be amended with compost. Temperature Preference: 30-80 F (cold winters and hot summers) Light Preference: Full Sun Pests and Diseases: Shirley Temple Peonies are not commonly plagued by pests or diseases. If they are, it is likely honey fungus or peony wilt. Shirley Temple Peony Color: White to Light Pink Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Summer (May-June) Easy/Hard: Easy Direct Sow: Yes, direct sow. Start Indoors: No. Landscape Use: Background, borders, mass planting. Tolerance: Rabbit and Deer Resistant Growing Non-GMO Shirley Temple Peony Flower Bulbs Choose a planting site that is in full sun, is not exposed to strong winds, and has well-draining soil. Before planting, amend the soil with bone meal and compost. In the early fall, about 6 weeks before your first frost date, dig a hole big enough for the roots. Place the root in the hole so that the eye faces upward. The eye should be no more than 2 inches below the soil surface. Water heavily to settle the soil down. Peonies do not require much fertilization, but they benefit from an annual compost application, especially if the soil is of lower quality. Peonies such as Shirley Temple do well with staking to help them sustain their massive blooms atop. Tough weather, such as heavy rain, can cause them to droop to the ground without support. Peonies are very low-maintenance and do not need to be divided from year to year. They can live up to 50 years and be perfectly healthy. Do not transplant your peonies. They tend not to respond well. Keep in mind peonies require 2-3 years to fully thrive. Expect few to no blooms in the first two years. Peony maintenance includes removing the spent blooms once they have faded and then cutting the entire plant back once the foliage has died in the autumn time. Shirley Temple Peony in the Flower Garden In the garden, Shirley Temple Peonies are usefully and adaptable to many soil types. They are often used as a spring focal point or a flower border. Interplant with roses, bearded irises, and other flowering perennials for an outstanding flower bed. Harvesting Shirley Temple Peony Do not cut any blooms in the first two years. The plant may not bloom in the first year. By year three, you can begin to harvest cut flower blooms. Do not cut more than 30% of them to allow the plant to continue establishing. Year 4 and beyond, you can safely cut up to 70% of the blooms without damaging the plant. With sharp, clean scissors, snip off the bloom at the base of the plant when still just barely in bud and store in cool water. Flower food can help extend the life of the blooms, as well as frequent water changes and fresh stem cuts every other day. They can last 1-2 weeks in ideal conditions. About Shirley Temple Peony Garden Bulbs Peonies are not edible. The ruffled blooms of Shirley Temple Peonies are an undeniably good addition to almost any garden. They showcase beautiful flowers in the late spring and then offer gorgeous foliage the rest of the growing season. Peonies are originally native to many parts of Asia but have since become a staple in many western gardens for obvious reasons. There are now a wide variety of peonies to choose from and are sure to please anyone looking for a wonderful perennial cut flower. Often associated with bridal bouquets, peonies herald the start of summer and, with it, wedding season. Peonies are specifically requested by many brides for their bouquets and decor. Interplant Shirly Temple with other peonies blooming at different times. Shirly Temple is a mid-season variety but there are also early and late-season ones too! With proper planning, you can have continuous peonies for up to six weeks! Make Planting Bulbs Easy with a Bulb Planter Hand Tool! Tips From Our Gardeners "I love interplanting various different types of peonies with ferns and salvia. Something about that combination is just magical and looks like a woodland fairy kingdom!" - Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer Shirley Temple Peony Flower Bulbs Per Package: 1 Bulb Bag 3 Bulb Bag Non-GMO Shirley Temple Peony Bulbs are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.