Question: I don’t see very many peonies in Texas since I moved here. How well will they do?

Answer: On a scale of 1 to 10, peonies would probably rate about a 3 along the Red River and zero south of Dallas-Fort Worth-Abilene. We’re just too warm summer and winter for them to do their best. Some types will grow in far North Texas, but results can be spotty. Someone should probably do an extensive side-by-side variety trial. Give them morning sun and afternoon shade, and rake snow or ice over their crowns anytime that you have freezing precipitation during the winter. That will help chill them to initiate bud set. All things considered, for the cost of the original plants and for the few days that they’re at prime, peonies are probably more trouble than they’re worth.