I have bought from Peonys Envy in New Jersey. They were generous and healthy with a fabulous selection and helpful staff, but frankly the name is so great I am waiting for the tee shirts to come out (they are working on that as well!!) Here is a link that might be useful: Peonys Envy

I have herbaceous peonies and they are now just roots with a few eyes. I was wondering why it is better to plant in a pot rather than in the garden. Maybe I'm all wrong about this but it seems I've read it a few times and I just wondered why?

We sold our last house 6 months before we took possession of our current house, were in a rental for 6 months while building. I only brought 1 peony with me, the ground was still pretty frozen when I dug and divided it in March at our old place. It survived the rest of our crazy Denver winter/spring and the summer in a 3 gallon black plastic pot, didn't even water it very regularly, and I planted it at our new place in October when we moved in. It's been divided since and has survived the treatment with no complaints. Just make sure you put it in a pot big enough so the roots have room to grow--if the roots fit in a 1 gallon container plant it in a 3 gallon one. If you're moving to a cold zone I'd protect the pots with mulch, even dig them into the ground if that's possible. If not, a bale of straw is typically less than $10 and would probably protect several pots. Protect the pots with some shade in the summer so they don't bake if you're moving to a warm zone. Whether you plant your peonies in their permanent location in the spring or fall is pretty much personal preference. I do absolutely believe you get better success dividing peonies in the fall but you'll be basically planting a potted plant--disturb the roots as little as possible and plant them when it's most convenient. Just make sure the eyes are at a good level for your zone and they have good draining soil. Good luck with your move, you'll be so glad you took the trouble of moving your peonies with you when they start blooming!!!

They are so pretty when they're potted up and blooming, aren't they? It's easy to lose the buds if you buy one like that and plant it out right away. If you're in a position to buy one budded up I'd purchase it and leave it in the pot. Put that nursery pot in a heavier one and mulch it, that will keep the temp down around the roots when you put it out in the sun. Depending on your zone and the temps during your spring/summer I'd expose it to several hours of sun in the cooler parts of the day, then some shade as it gets hotter. Don't water in excess but don't let it dry out either, the mulch will help with that. Once it's done blooming you can leave it in dappled shade all day if you'd like but still don't let it dry out. It'll probably die back faster than established ones in your garden but that's okay. Keep the pot watered as before, slightly damp soil, definitely not sopping wet. Then just plant it out in the fall. One of the ladies in this forum suggested using Epsoma BulbTone in the fall and again in the spring, I've tried it and it seems to make a big difference. Just a teaspoon full each time. Even with this you might have little or no blooms 2nd spring while it's roots are getting established but it'll be just fine! Linda Van, the crazy page won't let me submit a new comment! I'd put the plastic pot inside a larger, heavy pot--large enough so there's air gaps between the pots. That should provide the most heat defense for a peony left in a pot.