Peonies in Indiana:
How to Grow These Stunning Perennials in Your Landscape
If you’re looking to add long-lasting beauty to your yard, peonies are a top choice for Indiana gardens. Known for their vibrant colors, fragrant blooms, and hardiness, peonies thrive in our Midwest climate and can return year after year with minimal maintenance.
In fact, the peony is Indiana’s official state flower—celebrated for its resilience, elegance, and long bloom life.
Why Peonies Are Perfect for Indiana Landscapes
- Peonies are well-suited to Indiana’s weather patterns.
- They require a cold winter dormancy and prefer full sun during the growing season: two things our region provides naturally.
- Once established, a single peony plant can bloom for 50 years or more, making them a long-term investment in your landscape.
- Even when they’re not flowering, peonies provide attractive foliage all season long, adding lush texture to garden beds and borders.
Popular Types of Peonies
Single Peonies
Features five or more petals with visible stamens. Upright and easy to grow with minimal support.
Japanese Peonies
Display five or more petals with short, narrow staminodes in the center. Often need staking for support.
Anemone Peonies
Similar to Japanese types but with fully developed petaloids. Require staking due to bloom weight.
Semi-Double Peonies
A mix of petals and petaloids with some remaining stamens. Typically need support while blooming.
Full Double Peonies
Fully packed blooms with no visible stamens. Large, heavy flowers that benefit from staking.
Tree Peonies
Woody shrubs with large, early blooms and strong stems. Grow 3–5 feet tall & usually don’t need support.
When & How to Plant Peonies in Indiana
To get the best results, follow these peony planting tips:
- Best Time to Plant: Early to mid-fall (October) is ideal for planting bare-root peonies.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and good air circulation.
- Spacing: Plant peonies 3–4 feet apart to give them room to grow and prevent disease.
- Depth: The buds, or “eyes,” should be no more than 2 inches below the soil surface.
Avoid planting peonies near large trees or shrubs that will compete for nutrients and water.
Caring for Peonies Year After Year
Peonies are low-maintenance, but a little care goes a long way:
- Mulch the first winter to protect roots, but remove it early in spring.
- Disbud side buds to encourage larger blooms.
- Stake early to prevent top-heavy flowers from drooping.
- Fertilize lightly after flowering with a balanced 10-10-10 mix.
- Cut back in fall and dispose of dead plant material to avoid fungal disease.
Common Peony Problems to Watch For
Peonies are hardy, but they can face occasional issues:
- Failure to bloom: Often caused by deep planting, overcrowding, or lack of sunlight.
- Powdery mildew: Appears as a white coating on leaves in late summer.
- Botrytis blight: Affects stems and buds, especially in wet springs.
- Viral diseases: Such as Tobacco Rattle Virus, which causes yellow rings or blotches.
Keep your peonies healthy by planting in full sun, removing dead debris in fall, and spacing them properly.
Are Ants on Peonies a Problem?
Ready to Beautify Your Landscape with Peonies?
At Wells Lawn Care, we help homeowners in Indiana create timeless outdoor spaces with low-maintenance, high-impact plants like peonies.
Contact Wells Lawn Care to plan your dream garden or get help maintaining your existing landscape. Visit Wells Lawn Care Monthly Packages to learn more and get started today!