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Anyone used Preen to Suppress Weeds Around Peonies?

16 years ago

In the literature I got from Adelman Peony Gardens, they said it was OK to use "Preem" around peonies. I assume that's a typo, and I've never used Preen around them because peonies are not listed on the approved plant list on the package. Has anyone used Preen around peonies without harming them? Sue

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Comments (6)

jayco
16 years ago
I don't know anything about Preen, but I have had great results using only mulch. I just use a layer about 2 inches deep, have very few weeds, and my peonies seem to love it and are doing great. When they're mature, they shade the ground below and that helps as well.
patty__em
15 years ago
I use PREEN, with the fertilizer, in my flower beds. The peonies get better every year!
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Comments (9)
Thanks for all the input---keep it coming! I did check with our local "weed specialist" at Extension (I actually work there but not in the Agriculture/horticulture department)and he said the corn gulten (as a natural product)likewise the leaves will form a helpful barrier "crust" for a while but will break down pretty quickly. I THINK what I understood was that both are nitrogen rich and will then be very pleasent places for weeds to grow on top of! So I guess with both you have to keep adding more on top. I walked my beds today and already see volunteers and of course weeds. I am, naturally, smitten with the volunteers (how can I try to stop these things mother nature is trying to provide?)so I am leaning towards a mixed bag approach for weeds/volunteers for this year. When I rake out the leaves I've left in the fall to cover the beds and keep them warm, I will pile them up, hit them with the lawn mower and put them back in the beds. But I might use a little preen on walkways..places where I can't have leaf mulch and a few places that just never get my "first shot" when I am out there weeding and tend to get out of control. I guess what I am saying is I think I've decide not to "randomly broadcast Preen" into the beds but use it selectively in spots. I think that makes sense. I'd love to know if it really works though... no point putting it anywhere if it doesn't. We also had "irrigation guys" here almost every day this week giving us estimates. Looks like some kind of watering system will be in place by the late spring. And that will give me a whole lot more time for weeding! I fear the weeds will grow even faster with regular watering though...
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Comments (4)
The purpose of a pre-emergent is to prevent seeds from germinating. Therefore, any product marketed as a pre-emergent should keep seeds from germinating without harming the juniper. However, to be sure, always read the label on the back. You can start by looking at a product such as Preen. Preen has several products, in order to get the best results, make sure you get the one for gardens (versus the one for lawns, for example). One factor to consider in the success of using such a product is the germination cycle. Different seeds germinate at different soil temperatures, so applying the pre-emergent at the proper time is important. Apply it too early and it might be gone by the time the seeds germinate; apply it too late and the seeds have already germinated. Another factor is whether you truly have annual plants (which come only from seed) versus perennial weeds (those which sprout back from roots in the spring. If you have perennial weeds, then this will only handle the new ones that sprout from seeds. Some chickweeds are annuals and some are perennial, depending on which one you have. Here is a link that might be useful: Preen products
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Comments (0)
I would like to use Preen near my peonies to keep weeds out of my garden. It's not listed on the label as an approved plant to use Preen on. My peonies are along a hilltop in a row, with daylilies & phlox further down the hill. I figure if I put Preen 1.5 feet away from the peonies' centers it would be OK? Or has anyone tried putting preen directly around peonies? The label says you can try it on plants not on their list & see what happens, but I don't want to risk it!
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Comments (3)
I have that determined weed in my yard, too. It will never disappear completely but I have been using this method for several years and it works great for me. I pull as many of that darn weed as possible. Then I use Preen. Then I lay a good 10-15 layers of newspaper down as close around all the other plants as possible. You have to lay the newspaper right up against the base of your other flowers or else the bindweed will come up with the flowers. Then I put a good 6-8 inches of mulch down. Yes, the weeds will always eventually come back. But if you follow those steps every time you mulch it will help. I promise. Good luck.
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suel41452
Original Author
15 years ago
That's good news!! I love Preen - works great. Thanx! Sue
esthersgeorge
last year
I used Preen or the first time, last week, and the peonies were already taller than 3 inches, however, some of the leaves are now curling. I've had these peonies for over 15 years. The only difference this year is the preen. I am getting very worried. I wouldn't use it. Let's hope they survive this year and are able to produce blooms and come back next year. Wondering if I should move the plant even.
ibchaz
11 months ago
Most people have had success with using Preen AFTER peonies are 4-6" tall. (source: various horticultural forums) I've tested and used it over non-listed flowers and never found a problem. Pendulum is a fairly broad preemergent that is list for "Chinese Peony". I keep that and oryzalin products (ie Surflan) on hand, and the two of them cover everything in my landscape. Preen is trifluralin, pretty benign, and I use the dry sprinkle for small areas or touch up if I disturb a treated area.
J. Sutter
5 months ago
I've used the fertilizer Preen on my sweetcorn, pumpkins and tomatoes for years with zero known problems. I apply it after plants are about 4 to 6 inches tall, and mulch with lawn clippings after. Last year I use Preen on my new peonies ( 8 total ) and it worked as it should without any noticeable problems with the peonies. One of them even got a flower. Today I just finished planting 26 new ponies, and I fully intend to use Preen next spring. The one very important aspect to remember is that you really need to make the correct application and never over use the product, because even the fertilizer it contains, if over applied, will certainly burn and or kill any plant. Any fertilizer is fully capable of killing plants. Best of luck to all.

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