Q: Are there any peonies that do not require staking? A: Yes, there are many peonies that do not require any staking. There is however staking and staking! We have classified peonies into one of four categories when it comes to staking. They are as follows: Category 1 - No staking whatsoever These plants tend to be slightly less than average peony height and have very upright stems. Many of them are early hybrids. Examples would be Mandarins Coat, Dandy Dan, Paula Fay, Friendship, Horizon, Early Scout, Laddie, Illini Warrior. Category 2 - Staking as a question of taste No one wants to find the flowers on the ground but some people, prefer a plant with an informal look. These peonies tend to have a more open habit and have lots of movement. Very occasionally a flower will touch the ground but this is more the exception than the rule. Some people however prefer a more upright and confined look and will want to stake these peonies. Examples would be Krinkled White, Bev, Sea Shell, Scarlet O'Hara, America, Heritage, Illini Belle, Moonrise. Category 3 - Staking is necessary Some peonies just need to be staked either because their stems are very weak or their flowers are preposterously heavy. A good discrete peony support will keep these plants looking wonderful. Examples would be Pink Princess, Gardenia, Ethel Mars, Martha Bulloch, Coral Supreme, Cream Puff, Salmon Glory. Category 4 - Staking is almost hopeless There are many wonderful peonies that just don't seem to be able to respect an average peony support. They always seem to flop right over the peony ring. You either have to build a very sturdy structure or just live with the consequences. These peonies are best placed in the vegetable or cutting garden where they will produce cut flowers without equal. We grow/tolerate several of these peonies because they produce such wonderful flowers e.g. M. Jules Elie, James Pillow. Their job is to grace the inside of the house and we don't count on them for the garden.

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