I was reading an old gardening book from the library and found a wild fact about peonies

The book said peonies can live for over 100 years if they're planted right. I found it in a 1970s guide called 'Perennials for the Midwest' while looking for plant care tips. It made me think about how many arrangements I've made with flowers that might outlive the shop. Has anyone else worked with a peony plant that's been around for decades?

3 comments

3 Comments

bettyhunt2mo ago

That book is way too optimistic about peony lifespan. Most garden plants get moved or die from disease long before a century. I've seen plenty of old peonies fail after twenty years, not a hundred.

angelaellis2mo ago

You're right about disease being a bigger threat than age. Modern gardens have more problems with fungus and root rot than our grandparents dealt with. It makes sense that plants give out sooner now.

wesley8011d ago

Huh, bet the soil microbiomes are completely different now than back then.