Peonies will bloom big beautiful flowers if you follow 4 rules starting from September

Peonies are beloved for their big, fluffy flowers, sweet fragrance, whether left in the garden or in a beautiful display of flowers. Households with a peony bush will want to do all they can to make it thrive.

With September around the corner, autumn is the best time of year to plant peonies, which typically flower from April to July. Gardening specialist and CEO of Crown Pavilions, Luke Dejahang, has told Express.co.uk four things gardeners should keep in mind when planting peonies this autumn. The experted explained the most important factors to consider: soil preparation, planting time, sunlight, and pruning.

How and where to plant peonies for next year

"Peonies prefer rich, well-drained soil, so you should improve the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting," said the expert.

The flowers should also be planted "in late autumn or early spring" in a sunny area of the garden.

He added: "In late autumn, you should cut back herbaceous peonies to the ground to prevent disease."

It's beneficial to understand the proper planting depth for peonies, Mr Dejahang added.

"Ensure peonies are planted at the correct depth, with the crown (where the stem meets the root) just below the soil surface, as planting too deep can prevent blooming."

And naturally, "peonies thrive in full sun to partial shade, so you should ensure that they are placed in a suitable area where they can receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily".

Fertilising and mulching peonies

A well-balanced fertiliser is equally crucial, though not in excess, otherwise, "this can lead to leafy growth with fewer blooms, which isn't what you want".

Mulching proves vital too. Mr Dejahang suggests gardeners "apply a layer of organic mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature".

How to water peonies

Proper watering is essential job you can tackle now to guarantee peonies deliver the most stunning blooms. The magnificent plant can yield "more beautiful blooms in summer" by simply receiving the proper watering technique.

Mr Dejahang explained: "You should water peonies deeply but infrequently, so about once a week is perfect. Watering once a week encourages strong root growth and more blooms."

Deadheading peonies

"You should deadhead because it helps to neaten the plant, reduce the risk of fungal infections, and promote a healthier plant ready to flower again next spring."

To deadhead peonies, use clean, sharp pruning shears to cut the stem just below the spent flower above the first set of healthy leaves.