Peonies are the crown jewels of spring gardens, but their heavy blooms often bow down after rain or wind. I learned this lesson the hard way when my gorgeous pink peonies flopped face-down in the mud after a light shower.
Supporting these top-heavy beauties doesn’t require expensive equipment or professional gardening skills. With a little planning and some simple materials, you can keep those magnificent flowers standing tall.
Here are fifteen practical methods I’ve personally tested over years of growing peonies in my zone 5 garden, where spring storms regularly threaten to ruin the short-but-sweet peony season.
1. Grow-Through Grid Stakes
The first time I used these, I was amazed at how invisible they became once the peonies grew through them. Place these metal grid supports over young peony shoots in early spring when plants are just 6-8 inches tall.
As stems grow through the grid openings, they’re naturally supported without being damaged. My neighbor thought I had some special variety that stood up by itself until I showed her the hidden grid!
Height-adjustable versions work best since different peony varieties grow to different heights.
2. Tomato Cage Hack
One spring when I ran out of proper peony supports, I grabbed some spare tomato cages from the shed. After flipping them upside down and pushing the prongs into the soil around young peony shoots, I discovered they worked surprisingly well.
The circular support contains the entire plant while allowing stems to grow naturally through the cage openings. I spray-painted mine dark green to blend with foliage.
For extra stability in windy spots, secure the cage with garden stakes around the perimeter.
3. Bamboo Tripod Method
Last year during a bamboo garden thinning, I saved several sturdy poles specifically for my peonies. Creating a tripod by lashing three bamboo poles together at the top provides excellent support for individual peony plants.
Position the tripod over young shoots and gently guide stems inside as they grow. The natural look of bamboo blends beautifully with the garden aesthetic.
A quick tip: add a few horizontal bamboo pieces between the poles for extra support points, especially for varieties with numerous stems.
4. Twiggy Branch Supports
After winter pruning my shrubs, I save the bushiest twiggy branches for peony support. Push several branchy twigs into the soil around peonies when shoots are about 10 inches tall.
The natural-looking branches cradle the growing peony stems while remaining practically invisible. Oak and maple branches work particularly well because of their sturdy nature and numerous small twigs.
My garden visitors often comment on how natural my peonies look standing upright, never suspecting there’s hidden support at work!
5. Decorative Metal Peony Rings
When my front yard peonies needed support that wouldn’t detract from curb appeal, I invested in decorative metal rings. These purpose-made supports come in various designs from simple circles to ornate scrollwork patterns.
The half-moon shapes with legs stake easily into the ground and provide rim support for outer stems. During flowering, they’re barely visible beneath the foliage but do all the heavy lifting when those massive blooms appear.
For especially large plants, I use two rings at different heights for comprehensive support.
6. String Grid System
During a particularly tight gardening budget year, I created support grids using garden twine and wooden stakes. Insert four stakes around the peony plant in a square pattern, then weave string between them to create a grid about 12 inches above ground level.
As the peony grows through this grid, the stems are supported by the string network. I use green garden twine which virtually disappears against the foliage.
What I love most is how easily adjustable this method is—just add more string layers as plants grow taller.
7. Willow Basket Weave Supports
My most artistic peony support came after taking a willow weaving workshop. Using flexible willow rods, I create basket-like structures around each peony plant early in the season.
The circular weave starts low and spirals upward, creating a beautiful support that’s also a garden feature. Stems grow through the openings naturally, and by bloom time, the willow has weathered to a soft gray that complements the flowers.
Fresh willow works best as it’s most pliable, though you can soak dried willow overnight to restore flexibility.
8. Reclaimed Wire Hanger Supports
During spring cleaning, I discovered a use for old wire hangers that were headed for recycling. By reshaping them into circular supports with legs that push into the soil, I created custom-sized peony rings.
The wire is strong enough to hold heavy blooms yet flexible enough to adjust as needed. A quick spray with matte green paint helps them blend with foliage.
For larger plants, I connect multiple hangers together by twisting the wire ends. This zero-cost solution has saved countless blooms from hitting the ground after rainstorms.
9. Vintage Croquet Hoop Method
At a yard sale, I stumbled upon an old croquet set with large metal hoops that seemed perfect for my garden needs. Placed strategically around peony plants and pushed deep into the soil, these sturdy hoops provide excellent support for outer stems.
Their wide arch allows the plant to grow naturally while preventing stems from splaying outward. The aged patina on the metal adds a touch of vintage charm to the garden.
For taller varieties, I position additional hoops at different heights to create a tiered support system.
10. Concrete Reinforcing Mesh Cages
After a construction project left me with leftover concrete reinforcing mesh, I discovered it makes incredibly sturdy peony supports. Cut and shaped into cylinders, this heavy-duty wire grid creates a cage that stands up to the fiercest storms.
I install these cages before peonies emerge in spring, allowing stems to grow through the grid squares. The galvanized finish weathers to a soft gray over time.
Though not the prettiest option in early spring, once plants fill out, the support disappears completely under lush foliage.
11. Cattle Panel Section Supports
When a farming friend offered me scrap pieces of cattle panel, I saw potential peony supports. Cut into manageable sections and bent into an arch or U-shape, these heavy-gauge wire panels provide industrial-strength support.
For my largest peony varieties, nothing works better at preventing collapse. The 4-inch grid pattern is perfect for stems to grow through while offering maximum support for heavy blooms.
I secure the panels with ground staples and find they last for years without bending, even under the weight of rain-soaked flowers.
12. Peony Corset Method
After watching my grandmother’s technique for decades, I finally adopted her “peony corset” method. Using soft garden twine, she would loosely encircle the entire plant with several horizontal bands at different heights.
This gentle cinching creates a supportive framework that allows the plant to maintain its natural shape while preventing outward flopping. The key is not pulling too tight – just enough to provide resistance against wind and rain.
I use green velcro garden tape now instead of twine, making it adjustable as plants grow through the season.
13. Repurposed Trellis Segments
When replacing an old garden trellis, I cut the lattice into smaller segments perfect for peony support. Curved into half-circles and secured with garden stakes, these trellis pieces create effective barriers that keep stems upright.
The crisscross pattern provides multiple support points for stems and looks decorative even before the plants fill out. I position two segments on opposite sides of large plants for complete support.
Wood versions can be painted to match garden décor, while plastic types practically disappear among green foliage.
14. Single-Stake Spiral Method
For smaller peony varieties or those with just a few stems, I’ve found the spiral stake method both effective and elegantly simple. Insert a strong stake near the plant center, then attach a spiral of heavy gauge wire that circles outward and upward.
As the plant grows, stems are supported by different sections of the spiral at various heights. The spiral shape allows for natural movement while preventing complete collapse.
I make my own using 1/4-inch steel rod bent around a bucket, but ready-made versions are available at garden centers.
15. Interlocking Wooden Stake System
During a workshop at our local garden club, I learned to make interlocking wooden stake supports that have become my go-to for peonies in windy spots. Using thin wooden stakes connected with small wood crosspieces, this system creates a sturdy framework around the entire plant.
The beauty lies in its adaptability—I can configure it to any size or shape needed. Cedar or locust wood naturally resists rot and weathers to a lovely silver-gray.
With plants growing through and around this support, it becomes nearly invisible by bloom time.