Store potted peony plants growing in USDA zones 1 and 2 indoors over winter at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and above -40 degrees Fahrenheit. There are two main types of peonies, hebaceous (P. officinalis) and bush or tree (P. suffruticosa). Even if you know you won’t be able to plant your bulbs and perennials for a few days, remember to take them out of … Just be sure not to store them near any fruit, as the released ethylene gas reduces bloom. Cut the foliage to the ground in the fall to avoid any overwintering diseases. Peonies need support while growing due to their heavy flowers and brittle stems of the larger flowering varieties. These eyes will eventually elongate and become the plant's stems. Storing Recently-Dug Peony Rhizomes. Peony rings were invented for just this purpose or you can use a wire tomato cage. Peonies are hardy plants from zones 3 to 8. Once the leaves have emerged and flowering has begun, the roots become dormant. Peony plants or bulbs are no exception. While the ground is cold or even frozen during winter, the peonies are happily sending roots out and storing energy for the summer. Deadhead peony blossoms as soon as they begin to fade, cutting to a strong leaf so that the stem doesn’t stick out of the foliage. Bulbs must be stored below 45 degrees F. Tuberous clumps with only one or two eyes may still grow, but they will take longer to become established plants. When Do Peonies Bloom? In fact, the plants may live longer than you do—some have been known to thrive for at least 100 years. Learn how to plant, grow, and care for peony bulbs with our planting guide. No harm will be done if the bulbs lie around the house for a day or two. If you're going to have to hold your bulbs for some time, try to be ready before they arrive. Check out peony bulbs and plants on Amazon. Peonies are perennials that come back every year to take your breath away. Whether you are storing tender summer blooming bulbs or more hardy spring bulbs that you did not get in the ground in time, knowing how to store bulbs for winter will ensure that these bulbs will be viable for planting in the spring.