Peony Kelway's Glorious

Peonies love the sun. For abundant blooming, they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Although they can tolerate partial shade, they will bloom poorly or not at all in the shade. Choose a spot with enough space (approx. 1 m²) where the plant won't 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-draining; it should retain moisture without becoming waterlogged. Peonies do not tolerate heavy, clay-heavy, or overly wet soils, as this causes their roots to rot. We recommend digging a sufficiently large planting hole and enriching it with compost.

Watering is important primarily during the first year after planting and during spring droughts 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.

The correct planting depth is absolutely crucial. Peonies must not be 'drowned.' Plant them so that the eyes (buds) on the root crown are a maximum of 2–3 cm below the soil surface. If you plant them deeper, the plant will grow, but it will likely not bloom. Keep in mind that the soil will settle a bit after planting and watering.

After flowering, remove only the faded blooms so that the plant does not exhaust itself producing seeds. Leave the leaves on the plant for as long as possible; they nourish the root system. Cut the entire stem back late in the autumn (in October or November) only when the leaves begin to turn yellow or brown, cutting just above the ground.

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

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

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 an entire room.

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

Yes, peonies are very hardy perennials. This variety handles frost 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 as a preventative measure to protect the root system from frost without snow cover. In the spring, be mindful of late frosts, which could damage budding shoots.

Definitely! The Kelway's Glorious peony is excellent for cutting. Cut the flowers at 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 plant to nourish the roots for the following year.

The most common cause is planting too deep. Check that the buds are no deeper than 3 cm below the surface. Other reasons may include:

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

This is likely gray mold (Botrytis), which attacks peonies during damp weather or when over-fertilized with nitrogen. Immediately remove the affected parts (browned buds, spotted leaves) and dispose of them in the regular trash (not in the compost!). As a preventative measure, ensure sufficient spacing between plants to allow for air circulation and water only the roots, not the leaves.

Ants on peony buds are a completely normal occurrence 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. As soon as the flower opens, the ants usually disappear.

Peonies do not like being transplanted and can thrive in one spot for decades. If you must transplant them, do it 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 it immediately in the new location. Expect that the plant may skip flowering for a year or two after being moved.