Peony Kelway's Glorious

After flowering, remove only the wilted blooms so the plant does not exhaust itself by producing seeds. Leave the leaves on the plant for as long as possible, as they nourish the roots. Cut the entire stem back late in the autumn (October/November) once the leaves begin to yellow or brown, cutting just above the ground.

Peonies are 'hungry' plants. In spring, it is advisable to fertilize with an organic fertilizer with a higher potassium and phosphorus content to support flowering. Avoid fertilizers with high nitrogen content, which would increase susceptibility to mold. In the autumn, you can spread a thin layer of mature compost around the plant.

Watering is important primarily in the first year after planting and during spring dry spells when the plant is forming buds. Once the peony is well-established (which takes a few years), it becomes relatively drought-tolerant and only requires watering during extreme heat. The soil should be moist, but never permanently waterlogged.

Proper planting depth is absolutely crucial. Peonies must not be 'drowned'. Plant them so that the eyes (buds) on the root crown are at most 2–3 cm below the soil surface. If you plant them deeper, the plant will grow, but it will likely not flower. After planting and watering, keep in mind that the soil will settle a little.

Yes, this cultivar has large, heavy double flowers that may droop toward the ground under their own weight (or after rain). Therefore, we recommend placing a circular support around the plant or staking it so it maintains its noble appearance and the flowers do not end up in the mud.

Peonies love the sun. For abundant flowering, they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Although they can tolerate partial shade, they will flower poorly or not at all in the shade. Choose a spot where they will have plenty of space (approx. 1 m²) and will not be crowded by the roots of surrounding shrubs or trees. Peonies do not like cramped conditions or competition.

The ideal soil is humus-rich, loamy, and well-drained, holding moisture without becoming waterlogged. Peonies do not tolerate heavy, clay-like, or overly wet soils, which cause their roots to rot. We recommend digging a sufficiently large planting hole and enriching it with compost.

The most common cause is planting too deeply. Check if the buds are buried deeper than 3 cm below the surface. Other reasons may include:

• Lack of sun (needs at least 6 hours).
• Too much nitrogen in the fertilizer (promotes foliage at the expense of blooms).
• The plant is too young (needs time to establish roots).
• Recent transplanting.

Ants on peony buds are a completely common phenomenon and do not harm the plant. Do not get rid of them. The ants feed on the sweet nectar that the buds secrete, and in return, they can protect the plant from other pests. Once the flower opens, the ants usually disappear.

This is likely gray mold (Botrytis), which attacks peonies during wet weather or if they are over-fertilized with nitrogen. Remove affected parts (browned buds, spotted leaves) immediately and dispose of them in general waste (do not compost!). As a preventative measure, ensure sufficient spacing between plants for airflow and water only at the roots, not on the leaves.

Peonies do not like to be transplanted and can thrive in the same spot for decades. If you must transplant them, do so in the autumn (September/October). Carefully dig up the older clump and divide it so that each section has at least 3–5 eyes and healthy roots, then plant immediately in the new location. Expect that flowering may be skipped for a year or two after transplanting.

The Kelway's Glorious variety typically blooms at the turn of May and June. It boasts magnificent, large white to cream-colored flowers, sometimes with a delicate crimson edge on some petals. However, be patient – it takes a few years (usually 2–3 years) for peonies to reach their full beauty and start blooming prolifically.

Yes, and beautifully! Kelway's Glorious is known for its strong and pleasant fragrance. It is one of the most fragrant peonies, making it an excellent choice for a vase, where it will scent the entire room.

Yes, peonies are very hardy perennials. This variety can withstand frosts down to approximately -34 °C (zone 4a). For newly planted specimens, however, we recommend covering the planting site with evergreen boughs during the first winter to protect the root system from freezing without snow cover. In the spring, be mindful of late frosts, which could damage emerging buds.

Definitely! The Kelway's Glorious peony is excellent for cutting. Cut the flowers in the 'soft bud' stage, when the color is already showing through. They will last longer in a vase if you change the water daily and trim the stems. Leave enough leaves on the peony to nourish the roots for the following year.