[stickywicket]

I have a paeony in my garden that I've had for about 2/3 years. It is supposed to be Bowl of Beauty but has turned out to be a deeper pink and one solid colour, though now that it is having its second flush of flowers they are much more like bowl of beauty than the first lot...odd

Anyway I have been thinking of replacing it with a true bowl of beauty (to match my other flower bed)  but I didn't want to waste such a lovely plant so I thought I might put it in a pot. Would this be a good/bad idea? How big a pot would I need to make it a successful move?

Thanks for any suggestions/tips!

[Yorkie]

I had to dig a paeony up last year and plonked it in a tub.  It has produced leaves this year but no flowers.  They are reputed to be quite sulky plants so I'm not sure what it will do next year.

If you do put it in a pot, I'd go for a pretty big one.  I think mine is about 18" across the top and similar depth (it's a cheap plastic one).  Use John Innes #3 compost and make sure there is decent drainage.

I don't know whether there will be replant problems if you try to put a new plant in the location of an old one.

[stickywicket]

Thanks Yorkie!

[Trillium]

Peonies have very large tap roots and they wouldn't last too many years in pots, even really large ones. It could be a temporary holding bed for them, but unless they're at least 2-3 ft tall, they won't do well or flower.

And yes, they can be prima donnas for their needs.

The only problem with planting another one in a previous peony spot, is that you might not have removed every bit of old root, which could mean the old plant will grow again and interfere with the new plant. Perhaps you can trade a friend for a plant.

[stickywicket]

Thanks Trillium. You've made my mind up for me.  I think I'll just leave it where it is and accept that things are never perfect in a garden, unless it's at Chelsea Flower Show!

[Diddy Gardener]

Same here Yorkie... patiod a piece of garden and put the paeony in a large pot - there were a few small flower buds earlier in the year but they didn't come to anything