Peony 'Coral Sunset'

When planting your peony, the main thing to remember is you don't want to plant too deep. Plants need to be chilled in winter and baked in the summer for the best flowers - the eyes of the peony roots should be no more than 3-5cm below the soil surface.

• Despite the myths that surround them, peonies are easy to grow.
• As a hardy perennial, the plant dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring. Dead stems can be removed in late autumn.
• Ideally, plant in the autumn while the ground is still warm or in the spring as it warms up. Plant in full sun or light shade in heavy, well-draining, fertile soil. There’s no need to add additional compost unless your soil is really poor.
• Dig a planting hole large enough to spread out roots without bending them. Set crown with buds 3-5cm (1-2in) below ground-level. Backfill and water in thoroughly.
• Peonies can tolerate drought quite well but they need plenty of water if they are to flower well.
• Plant your peonies in soil that drains well. Clay is fine as long as it doesn't stay wet.
• Mulch lightly with well-rotted manure every spring - although not too deep as this will bury the crown. At the same time, apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser around the base of the plant.
• If you want really big flowers, de-bud the side shoots in April/May with a sharp knife. Remove spent flower heads after blooming to keep your peony pretty all summer long.
• The flower stems may not be strong enough to keep the often-heavy flamboyant flowers upright and staking is often required.
• Peonies seldom need to be divided or moved, but if necessary it should be carried out only in the autumn.

Please allow us 3-5 working days to dispatch your order. Pre-ordered items will be sent as soon as possible after the date quoted and we'll generally ship your entire order with your pre-ordered items. When your order is dispatched, we'll send you another email with details of how to track it.

Most orders are sent on a fully-tracked courier service with Yodel. To avoid perishable items being stuck at depots and deteriorating, no signature is required, and our courier is asked to leave your order in a safe place on your property.

We'll send a tracking link when we dispatch your order, so you know when its due to arrive. Please note, once delivered we cannot be held responsible for loss or theft from your property. If you have any specific delivery instructions, please let us know - there's an option to enter a short message for the courier at the checkout.

Smaller, lighter, single-item orders may be sent through the post with Royal Mail - in which case no tracking is available.

Our experienced nursery team will always send your plants nursery fresh in the perfect condition to thrive when you plant them, so although most plants are very tough and will not be affected by all but the most extreme frosts or heatwaves, we avoid dispatching the most perishable plants if extreme weather is forecast, or over Bank Holiday weekends.

Please note, we cannot guarantee delivery on a certain day or time. Delivery to outlying postcode areas may take 1-2 days longer, dependent on your location.