Adding soil... redig the hostas and peonies???

[seedspreader]

A friend is adding 6 inches of soil to some planting beds. Will the Hosta's and Peonies need to be dug up and moved shallower, or will they push on through?

Anyone have an idea on this?

[jassytoo]

Don't know about hostas as I've never done anything to mine since I put them in. I did add mulch to my peonies once and although they did grow through , they didn't bloom for ages afterwards.

[How Do I]

Personally, I'd go ahead and dig them up and replant. 6 inches is a bit much. Probably be a good time to divide them if they haven't already been divided in several years.

[RebelDigger]

Peionies need to be shallow in the dirt. They also sulk when you move them. Be prepared for the fact that they will not bloom for several years after being moved. Hostas are much more forgiving but six inches is still a bit much.

[TrailFarmgirl]

Peonies will not bloom if they are buried too deep.

[Marcia in MT]

Originally Posted by TrailFarmgirl

Peonies will not bloom if they are buried too deep.

The crowns of peonies should be no deeper than 2" below the surface of the soil, and 1" is better. Like others have said, they will grow but not bloom if planted deeper than this.

I don't know about the hostas, but still, 6" is a bit much to expect any plant to push through. So I'd either not put it over existing plants, or dig and reset them all.

[Danaus29]

Dig, divide and replant after adding the soil for both plants. You won't get peony blooms this year if you move them now. If you do it after they flower you won't get any blooms next year. If you add a good top dressing of manure and mulch to keep the weeds and grass down you should get blooms 2 years after you move the peonies.

Hostas may or may not bloom the year they are moved. It just depends on how little you disturb the root ball and how small the new divisions are.