The recent threads on tree peonies prompt me to ask three questions: Dear Jim McK et al; The topic of tree peonies is getting a bit far afield, but I'll answer briefly with my experience and opinion. >First of all, does anyone have any experience in transplanting successfully >old established suffruticosa tree peonies? They should be dug in fall as they go dormant. In your area I'd guess after Oct 1. Their own roots will be far ranging and deep. Use a saw or axe (you'll need them) to divide the crown (dust with fungicide and or rooting hormone with fungicide) and cut them back to healthy wood. Plant in light shade or where they will get a couple hours full sun. Water well. They should recover in a year or two. Try to do this on a cool day and be prepared for a lot of work. >The recent tree peony threads have had a lot negative to say about >lactiflora understock for tree peonies... I'm curious: what are the >experiences of others? There is some debate, but my opinion is to remove the lactiflora under stock as soon as the tree peony has made its own roots. The lactiflora root is a temporary nurse graft and will interfere with long term health of the tree peony. Removing an old rotting lactiflora root from an old peony is a major pain and a real blow to the tree peony. Get rid of it ASAP. Tree peonies always do better on their own roots. > >The third question concerns a twenty + year old suffruticosa tree >peony which hasnever bloomed. Are there other less drastic measures >which might bring it into bloom? Not all cvs are acceptable. This may be self sown seedling and be a poor bloomer. I have a seedling that has made a single bloom in ten years. I keep thinking its got to do better one of these years. Getting named cultivars gives you a better chance of getting a good blooming plant. Hybridizers tend to toss these poor bloomers, unless it has exceptional (infrequent) flowers and then would be sold/distributed as a breeder's plant. But then you might also check the soil pH and alter accordingly. Fertilize well. Thin out old wood. You might reduce it to no more than 3 healthy stems. Mulch might help too. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 E-fax 419-781-8594 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +