Timing your peony planting correctly is one of the most important factors in establishing healthy, long-lived plants. Unlike many garden plants that can be planted throughout the year, peonies have specific requirements that make timing crucial to their success. Plant at the wrong time, and you risk rotting tubers, weak growth, or plants that take years longer to establish.
This guide provides detailed planting calendars for each Australian state and explains why timing matters so much for these magnificent flowers.
Why Planting Time Matters for Peonies
Peonies are purchased and planted as bare-root tubers during their dormant period. These tubers need time to establish roots before the growing season begins. Planting during dormancy gives the roots several months to grow into the surrounding soil, anchoring the plant and building the capacity to support vigorous spring growth.
If you plant too late in winter, the tuber may begin producing shoots before adequate roots have developed. This leads to weak, stressed plants that are more susceptible to disease and environmental challenges. Conversely, planting too early in autumn when soil is still warm can encourage premature growth or fungal problems.
The Golden Rule
Plant peonies when the soil temperature is consistently below 10°C but before it freezes solid. This typically means late autumn to mid-winter in most Australian regions.
State-by-State Planting Guide
Tasmania
Tasmania offers ideal conditions for peony growing, with reliable cold winters and cool springs. The extended cold period ensures excellent vernalisation, resulting in abundant blooms.
- Optimal planting window: April to July
- Soil temperature goal: Below 10°C
- Special considerations: In elevated areas, plant by early June to allow root establishment before soil freezes
Victoria
Victoria's varied climate means timing differs between regions. The highlands and alpine areas experience earlier cold, while Melbourne and coastal areas remain mild longer.
- Melbourne and surrounds: May to July
- Gippsland and alpine regions: April to June
- Mornington Peninsula and coastal areas: June to August
Melbourne Gardeners
The ideal planting window in Melbourne is late May through June. Soil temperatures typically drop below 10°C by late May, providing perfect conditions for root development.
New South Wales
New South Wales spans diverse climate zones, from the cool Southern Highlands to the subtropical north coast. Peony success varies significantly across the state.
- Southern Highlands and Tablelands: May to July (excellent peony country)
- Canberra and surrounding areas: May to July
- Blue Mountains: May to July
- Sydney and coastal areas: June to August (choose low-chill varieties)
- Northern NSW: Generally not suitable for herbaceous peonies
South Australia
South Australia's Adelaide Hills and Mount Lofty Ranges provide good conditions for peonies, while the Adelaide plains can be challenging.
- Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker: May to July
- Adelaide metropolitan: June to August (select carefully)
- South-east SA: May to July
Western Australia
Western Australia's mediterranean climate makes peony growing challenging in most areas, though the south-west offers some possibilities.
- Perth and surrounds: June to August (low-chill varieties essential)
- South-west WA (Margaret River, Albany): May to July
- Inland elevated areas: May to July
Queensland
Most of Queensland is too warm for herbaceous peonies. However, elevated areas like the Granite Belt may have limited success with very low-chill varieties.
- Stanthorpe and Granite Belt: May to July (experimental, choose lowest chill varieties)
- Toowoomba and Darling Downs: Marginal; try at your own risk
- Coastal and northern Queensland: Not suitable for herbaceous peonies
Signs It's Time to Plant
Beyond calendar dates, nature provides clues that conditions are right for planting peonies:
- Deciduous trees have dropped most of their leaves
- Morning frost is occurring or imminent
- Soil feels cold to the touch, not just cool
- Night temperatures regularly fall below 10°C
- Local nurseries begin stocking bare-root peonies (they time their availability)
Testing Soil Temperature
Insert a soil thermometer 10cm deep in your planting area. Take readings in the morning for several days. Once temperatures are consistently below 10°C, you're in the planting window.
What If You Miss the Window?
If you acquire peony tubers outside the optimal planting window, you have several options:
Received Tubers Too Early (Autumn)
If tubers arrive while soil is still warm, store them in the refrigerator vegetable crisper wrapped in slightly damp newspaper. Check weekly and plant as soon as conditions are suitable. Don't store for more than 4-6 weeks.
Received Tubers Too Late (Late Winter/Spring)
Late planting is less ideal but can succeed. Plant immediately and provide extra attention to watering during the first growing season. Expect the plant to take an additional year to establish compared to correctly-timed plantings.
Avoid Potting Up
Resist the temptation to pot up bare-root peonies with the intention of planting them out later. Peonies develop extensive root systems that don't transplant well from pots, and container-grown plants often struggle to establish when finally planted in the ground.
Nursery Ordering and Delivery
Most Australian peony nurseries take orders in summer and autumn for delivery during the dormant season. Many sell out of popular varieties quickly, so order early. When placing orders, consider:
- Order by February-March for the best variety selection
- Request delivery timing that suits your region's planting window
- Join mailing lists to be notified when ordering opens
- Have your planting site prepared before tubers arrive
Preparing While You Wait
Use the months before planting to prepare your site thoroughly. Well-prepared soil makes all the difference:
- Test and amend soil pH (peonies prefer 6.5-7.0)
- Improve drainage if needed
- Incorporate organic matter into heavy soils
- Eliminate perennial weeds
- Mark planting locations and spacing
For detailed soil preparation guidance, see our comprehensive soil preparation guide.
Climate Change Considerations
Australian winters are becoming milder and more variable, which affects peony growers in several ways. Some regions that historically grew peonies well are now experiencing reduced winter chill. Consider these adaptations:
- Choose low-chill varieties, especially in marginal areas
- Plant in the coolest microclimates of your garden (south-facing slopes, shaded areas)
- Use organic mulch to keep soil temperatures lower in autumn
- Be prepared for more variable bloom timing
Getting your planting timing right is one of the simplest ways to ensure peony success. By understanding your local conditions and planting during the optimal window, you give your peonies the best possible start to what will hopefully be many decades of spectacular blooms.