Did not know for almost 22 years here that there was a gardening forum. Probably because I am in

[efhmc]

central Texas and gardening here is different, even in other parts of the state (lordie I miss Houston and its rains and luscious flowers, plants and grass.). I digress. Anyone around here have info on peonies. I finally got one to grow in a pot but as fall and then winter approaches, I wonder what to do with it, Any help is appreciated.

[flying_wahini]

1. Hello from Fort Worth!

[efhmc]

5. Lovely in the morning (74) and regular 90's in the afternoon. A man who came about a sprinkler system reminded me that

it was 104 this time last year.

[elleng]

2. No help, neighbors have them here, (southern MD) along path and around their house,

a DELIGHTFUL part of spring!

[efhmc]

6. No bragging allowed, please. My Texas daughter who is now in CO has several in her yard. One of which I bought for her

after taking walks around her neighborhood and asking what those pretty flowers were. Honestly, this TX lady did not have a clue. Looks like some people (probably in N. Texas ) have them growing there. Excited to have one I bought on line growing in a pot. Help, please. On line does not seem to have a clue. I so love DU.

[Easterncedar]

3. Don't plant the eyes more than 2 inches deep

They won’t flower if they are too far below the surface. But I don’t know if they can thrive in your climate at all. I’m in New England, where they are happy.

[catrose]

4. A peony in Texas? Wow, I am impressed.

I couldn’t make them grow. A flower farm in Blanco tried and then found it easier to grow them in Michigan and bring them to Texas. The issue, as I understand it, is getting enough cold weather for them. I no longer remember the ratio of chill hours (40 degrees) to freezing hours (below 32) they need, but Texas doesn’t reliably provide it. I’ve put tulips in the freezer to imitate freezing conditions, but probably you can’t do that with a peony bush.

[efhmc]

7. On line several Dallas areas folks say they have them growing and blooming there. I grew up in that area so

I know it can get very cold there for a while. We (at least me) love a challenge and my plant is good (for now) so what is my next step. All of the Tx gardening sites have no good info on them.

[efhmc]

9. Thank you so much for the info. I have an old shed I was thinking about reusing as a warm winter green house.

Many Houston gardeners put bulbs in their frig so they could be planted and bloom in the spring. I have not lived there for a quite a while but there was a club that made money selling bulbs with that goal in mind.

[Donkees]

8. This link mentions adding ice over them a few times:

Also mentions trying "Tree Peonies'' in your region ...

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2076146/desperate-for-peonies-in-texas

Desperate for Peonies in Texas
13 years ago
I would like to add peonies to my Central Texas garden, but do not know if they will do well this far south.
Can peonies be grown in Zone 8b, in alkaline soil? Are there any secrets that I should know to promote blooms?