Peonies in Albemarle Sound area if North Carolina, zone 8(a) seem to burn up in July despite water every 48 hours.
I have not grown peonies to any great extent but I have some that I would rather not loose as they are starts that my sister gave me that have traveled around the nation for 140 years with my family. I planted them last October in mild weather. Amended our sandy soil and they came up and even bloomed in April. Edge browned in June and seemed to brown off in July. Will they be back next spring? Might they show some regrowth this early fall? I don’t really understand this plant enough to speculate. Store bought peonies in other locations have done the same despite being different varieties.
These peonies did well in east Pennsylvania, east Kansas and Atlanta.
Zone 8a is pretty hot. The key with Peonies is that they need that winter chill.
Watering them some will help, but they won’t give you a second bloom. Mine bloom in May (Zone 5a) then slowly go dormant as the summer progresses. I keep mine watered, too, so the leaves stay green longer than if they don’t get watered.
For Zone 8, they recommend the ‘Itoh’ varieties - which are the ridiculously expensive ones. Of course, LOL!
I also found this:
How do you take care of peonies in Zone 8?
🌸 Growing, Planting, and Care Peonies 🌺
Peonies prefer full sun (at least 6 hours per day) — those growing at the warmest end of their range (zone 8) will appreciate some afternoon shade. Peonies like fertile, rich, well-drained soil. Think lots of nutrients but no heavy, soggy clay.
Good luck!
I am having problems with my computer. The processor is slowly dying, so I am replacing it. I’ll be off-line for a few days and will post a new thread again when I can.
Use of this computer is sporadic at best. :(
Thanks!