Right now I'm looking for a few permanent spots in my garden. I want to plant a few peonies and I fully realize that if left alone they may outlast me. You read that right. Peonies can live happily for many decades.

Sure, they can be divided and/or transplanted, but this action will greatly reduce or eliminate bloom for a year or two. Peonies grow from a large tuber that establishes slowly in the garden,

If you must transplant them, the end of August is the best time. That also would be the best time to add them to the garden. That can be done if you go the mail order route and get fresh dug ones.

The typical garden center will offer them in a pot grown from roots dug the previous August. Here, supply will be best in the spring. Buying and planting these should give you the same level of success.

With peonies you have lots of choices. Mostly you will find pink, reds and whites and bi-colored blooms. I've seen a yellow one that is still very expensive. You can find either double or single flowers. A catalog I like lists almost 100 varieties.

A recent introduction that I find intriguing is a fern leafed variety that has a deep red flower with, as you guessed, a ferny foliage. It is short, staying under 15 inches in height. This one will become a favorite if the price drops.

Then there are the tree peonies that consist of a shrub form found in China grafted onto a traditional root. The tree peony is very difficult to root, thus the grafting process.

When planting a tree peony I have three reasons to plant it rather deep. Get the graft several inches under the ground. First, this adds strength to the plant. If the graft breaks in the wind you will be left with an expensive regular peony. Second, you might induce the tree peony part to set a few roots on its own which will make a better plant. Third, if left too near the surface the mother root will tend to send up suckers which must be removed to protect the integrity of the desired plant.

Peonies need at least a half-day of full sun and will bloom better if planted in full sun. They won't expect much fertilizer. A little, every several years, is plenty. The ones I've had over the years made out well with none. They prefer a ph of 6.5, which will happen with no effort in our limestone soils.

The literature suggests watering well at planting time to set the soil around the root. With a potted one that is not an issue. It also suggests that in a drought year one good watering in the summer will enhance the next year's bloom.

If planting a bare root one or transplanting, set the crowns about two inches below ground level. If planting a potted one set the plant at nursery level. The exception is the tree peony that should be planted deeper for the reasons stated above.

Adding peonies will dig a bit deeper into your wallet than most perennials but get ready for decades of enjoyment. Right now I am waiting for the ones I planted ten years ago to burst into bloom. I'll also catch the plantings mom made in her garden over thirty years ago.