Please take a look at this once beautiful plant which is now just fading away. I have one bud (which didn't come out clearly in the picture) but the rest of the plant is dead. I can't figure out why the plant is dying. Each year, after blooming, I have trimmed away the old growth. Last year I figured it wasn't worth it since I only had one flower then also. Do you have an answer for me? I would so appreciate your help... Jackie
Answer
Hi Jackie,
The photo shows a plant that is extremely stressed. The soil does not look healthy and there is no mulch around the base of the plant to keep the soil cool and moist. Also, planting a tree peony in a corner with white siding on either side of the plant creates an extremely hot environment from the sunlight and heat reflecting off the siding. A tree peony needs to be planted in healthy soil with lots of composted leaf litter or compost to hold moisture and provide lots of different types of microbes to help feed the plant. It grows best in part sun to sun.
I also see a downspout near the peony. The soil may also be too wet. When the soil is too wet the roots rot and cannot support the growth above the soil surface.
I would suggest that you start over with another tree peony. Hopefully, there is a better area on your property to plant one.
Good Luck.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
