Peonies are an old fashioned easy to grow herbaceous perennial. They require cool winters to fulfill their dormancy requirements. Peonies perform best in well drained loamy soil with good air circulation and plenty of sunshine and spring moisture. If plants do not get enough sun they will not bloom and may even decline in size over time. The best time to divide or transplant peonies is October. This allows plenty of time for root development and nutrient storage before winter. …