Gardening expert says avoiding 'common mistake' will make your peonies thrive

Gardening expert Colin Pearson, has explained how to get the best blooms from your . He explains: "Few flowers rival the elegance of peonies, but coaxing them into abundant bloom takes a little patience and the right conditions."

Those who put their peonies in the ground last autumn should see them flourish, as long as they were planted just beneath the soil surface – not too deep; these beauties adore a sunny spot. Colin revealed: "Peonies thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with full sun exposure," and suggested: "Adding organic compost or well-rotted manure helps nourish them through the seasons."

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Come spring, give your peonies a boost with mulch to maintain moisture and ward off weeds – just keep it away from the crown to prevent blooming troubles.

Colin gave a heads-up: "Don't cover the crown when mulching, or you'll risk poor flowering."

If your peonies are looking sad this summer, you could be making a "common mistake". Colin warns: "A common mistake I see is placing peonies in shady corners or overwatering them."

He advises giving them prime real estate in a sunny, sheltered spot, reports . Keep the creepy crawlies at bay and safeguard your petals by adopting buddy planting techniques.

Introducing lavender as a companion plant can push pests like aphids and slugs aside, Colin recommends. If you're seeking an organic fix against invaders, he suggests going for "crushed eggshells at the base" of the peony.

Organic deterrents are also another option, such as "crushed eggshells at the base" of the plant. The expert explained that the eggshells will stop slugs, for example, from wiggling their way onto your plant.

He stated: "Give peonies a little love and patience, and they will reward you with dramatic, fragrant blooms year after year."

Colin is a and home expert, as well as the owner and innkeeper of Stanton House Inn.

Stanton House Inn is a charming, family-run bed and breakfast nestled in the heart of Greenwich, Connecticut, USA.