I love peonies, but let’s be honest—they flop harder than I do after a long day in the garden. One good rain and they’re face-first in the dirt, no matter how gorgeous they looked the day before.
After a few seasons of trial and error (and a lot of fallen petals), I’ve found some tricks that actually work. It’s easier than you’d think to keep those blooms standing tall.
Here are my go-to tips for peonies that hold their heads high all season long.
1. Use Peony Support Rings
Support rings are a gardener’s best friend when it comes to keeping those heavy peony blooms upright. Place these circular supports over young plants in early spring before they get too tall.
The stems will grow through the grid pattern, receiving invisible support as they mature. By the time flowering occurs, the foliage will have completely hidden the supports, giving you gorgeous, upright blooms with no visible hardware.
2. Stake Individual Stems
For targeted support, bamboo stakes work wonders for peonies already in bloom. Gently tie each heavy stem to a stake using soft garden twine or plant ties, being careful not to damage the delicate stems.
Position the stakes slightly behind the plants where they’ll be less visible. This method is perfect for rescuing peonies that are already starting to droop and gives you precise control over which stems need the most help.
3. Create a Grow-Through Grid
A DIY grid support made from twine and stakes offers excellent support for multiple peony plants. Drive stakes around your peony clump and create a crisscross pattern of twine across the top, forming squares about 6 inches wide.
Your peonies will grow straight through these squares, receiving support exactly where needed. The natural-looking grid disappears from view as foliage fills in, leaving only your beautiful, perfectly upright blooms visible.
4. Try Tomato Cages
Repurpose tomato cages for an easy and effective peony support system. Place the cage over young peony plants in early spring, pushing it firmly into the soil. Trim off the bottom ring if needed for a better fit.
As your peonies grow, they’ll fill out the cage naturally. For a less visible support, spray-paint the cages green before using them. This budget-friendly option works especially well for larger peony varieties with multiple stems.
5. Install Decorative Plant Hoops
Decorative metal hoops add both support and style to your peony garden. Choose hoops with decorative finials or interesting designs that complement your garden aesthetic while providing crucial stem support.
Install them early in the season when plants are just a few inches tall. The stems will grow through and around the hoops, gaining strength as they develop. Unlike purely functional supports, these decorative options enhance your garden’s appearance even before the peonies bloom.
6. Implement the Three-Stake Method
The three-stake method creates a nearly invisible support system for your precious peonies. Place three wooden or bamboo stakes in a triangle around each peony plant, then wrap twine around the stakes to create a supportive collar.
Add multiple levels of twine as the plant grows taller. The plant grows within this triangle, receiving 360-degree support while the stakes remain mostly hidden by foliage. This method works particularly well for peonies planted individually rather than in clusters.
7. Prune for Stronger Stems
Strategic pruning helps develop naturally stronger peony stems that can better support their blooms. Remove the small secondary buds that form alongside the main terminal bud on each stem during spring growth.
This directs all the plant’s energy to fewer, stronger stems and larger main blooms. While you’ll have slightly fewer flowers, the remaining blooms will be spectacular and more likely to stand upright on their own, reducing your need for artificial supports.
8. Choose Upright Peony Varieties
Some peony varieties naturally stand taller and stronger than others. Look for varieties specifically bred for upright habits, like ‘Bartzella’, ‘Coral Charm’, or ‘Kansas’. These cultivars have naturally sturdier stems that better support their blooms.
Single and semi-double flower forms tend to be lighter and stay upright more easily than fully double varieties. When planning your garden, mixing these sturdier varieties with your favorite heavy bloomers gives you beautiful displays with less maintenance.
9. Position Plants Properly
Smart positioning helps peonies develop stronger stems naturally. Plant them where they’ll receive at least 6 hours of full sun daily – insufficient sunlight leads to weaker, floppier stems that can’t support blooms properly.
Avoid locations with strong winds that can damage tall stems. Planting peonies near a fence or wall (but not too close) provides natural protection and some structural support. Just be sure they still get adequate airflow to prevent fungal issues.
10. Apply Proper Fertilization
Balanced fertilization promotes stronger stem development in peonies. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that cause rapid, weak growth. Instead, use a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring when shoots are about 2-3 inches tall.
A second light application when flower buds form helps strengthen stems during the critical blooming period. Bone meal worked into the soil in fall provides phosphorus that promotes root and stem strength for the following season’s growth.
11. Install Peony Cages
Purpose-built peony cages offer specialized support designed specifically for these top-heavy bloomers. Unlike tomato cages, peony cages are typically wider and shorter with a grid pattern perfect for supporting multiple stems.
Place these sturdy supports over young plants in early spring. The grid pattern allows stems to grow through naturally while providing excellent support exactly where needed. Many gardeners consider these specialized cages worth the investment for prized peony collections.
12. Provide Wind Protection
Wind protection makes a tremendous difference in keeping peonies upright. Plant them near structures or larger shrubs that block prevailing winds without competing for nutrients or casting too much shade.
For existing plants in windy spots, install decorative windbreaks like small lattice panels or living windbreaks using medium-height companion plants. Even temporary windbreaks during blooming season can prevent the heartbreak of wind-damaged stems and flowers.
13. Harvest Blooms Strategically
Strategic cutting actually helps remaining blooms stay upright. Harvest flowers when they’re showing color but still in tight bud form – this removes weight from the plant while giving you long-lasting cut flowers.
Focus on cutting the largest, heaviest blooms first, particularly after rain when they’re water-weighted. This selective harvesting leaves the plant more balanced and less likely to flop over. The remaining flowers will have better access to nutrients, potentially growing stronger stems.
14. Create Woven Willow Supports
Handcrafted willow supports add rustic charm while keeping peonies perfectly upright. Weave flexible willow branches into circular supports with stakes that push into the ground around your plants in early spring.
The natural materials blend beautifully with the garden aesthetic, and the open-weave design allows stems to grow through naturally. These supports can be crafted to custom sizes for different peony varieties and add visual interest to the garden even before plants fill out.
15. Adjust Watering Practices
Smart watering significantly impacts stem strength in peonies. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root development, which anchors plants more securely and supports stronger stem growth.
Avoid overhead watering, especially when plants are in bloom – water-laden flowers become too heavy for stems to support. Instead, use drip irrigation or soaker hoses at the base of plants. This targeted watering also reduces disease issues that can weaken stems.