I took a pic of the overview between my neighbour who is renovating and my garden. I’d like to emphasize the separation between my garden and his workmen, so the peonies aren’t disturbed again.
The second photo shows what I hope is was successful transplant in another part of the garden.
Should I just write off the plants on the other side of the fence, and leave them?
Or, if I try to transplant the ones on the other high traffic side, are the roots all connected, so I might disturb the root systems on my side?
I can go either way, and I have enough peonies, which were involuntarily thinned by foot traffic. I guess there’s some sentimental value at my preferred choice of a transplant, since I wouldn’t have to bear any more visible damage to what was once a thriving garden, even if the collateral damage was on the other side of the fence.
I suppose the gist of the question is how much harm would the transplant do underground?
My neighbour is okay with whatever I do,and has kept sand away, although I think the soil could be fertile after having a deck over it for 10 years. And I could also leave it, and place a cage around it, while the other peony bush grows, without a fence, since activity may have subsided.
Thank you.
1641 is the successful transplant while 1643 is what I’d keep or leave in harms way
Unfortunately, I only see one photo of a small peony, which I suspect is the transplant. However, the short answer to your question is “go ahead”. Peonies can be divided. (The best time to do this is in mid-September but it sounds like the construction work is happening now. )They will sulk for a year or so afterwards, but, since this is your preferred option (and you have other peonies), I think it is definitely worth taking a chance.
Each fleshy root division that you plan to transplant should have at least 3 to 5 “eyes.”
The “eyes” should be planted about one to two inches deep. (If planted too deeply, the plant will produce foliage and no flowers.) This link on Garden Making Magazine gives step by step instructions on how to transplant the different types of peonies- herbaceous, tree & Itoh hybrids.
Peonies appreciate well-drained soil with an abundance of organic matter. Plants will flower better in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. The transplant seen in your photo seems to be doing just fine!
You might like to click on this link to our Gardening Guide on dividing perennials.