How and where do I plant peonies?

Question:

How and where do I plant peonies?

Answer:

Most peonies require well-drained soils and full sun for best flowering.  Plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and a location with good air movement helps prevent foliar disease problems.  Woodland peonies can tolerate less direct sunlight if planted under deciduous trees.
 
Common peonies prefer shallow planting depths.  When planting bare-root plants, position the buds 1-2 inches below the soil surface.  Plants that are planted too deeply do not bloom well. Container-grown peonies are generally planted at the proper depth, so transplant them to a similar depth in the landscape. After planting, be sure to water well the first year to establish a good root system.

Learn more about growing peonies in Iowa in this article: Growing Peonies in Iowa