The fall is the best time to move one of our favorite spring blooming plants. This is by far one of the most sentimental plants in the garden. I have lost count of how many of my customers have shown me their peony bush that came from their mother or grandmothers garden. As they age, usually after at least 10 years in the garden, they begin to produce less flowers, partly because of age and partly because they are now being shaded by plants and trees around them.
Move them very carefully. The roots are very fragile and getting a large rootball out of the ground in one piece is challenging. If the clump is very large then it can be cut in sections as long as there are 3 to 5 red buds in each root clump.
Once the new location with good sunlight and drainage is prepared with some fresh compost, set the root ball shallowly in the hole with the pink buds near the soil level. It is very important that the buds not be planted too deep or else the plant may not bloom. Cover with mulch and water well until hard frost. Now you are all set for spring blooms in your garden.
*Source: Gardenmaking Magazine