Tree peony

I think it was a terracotta colour originally and the sun has bleached it so looks pinkish

 

haha sorry @LyndaG, Spruce is right.....it started life terracotta!

 

Oh no :0( I thought I'd found some big pink ones - oh well, I'll keep looking!

 

I guess you know that terracotta pots can be painted? A quick google search will yield several sites using acrylic paint or acrylic spray. I never knew about this but have used emulsion paint on them. Lasts for a few years before it needs touching up/redoing....I see that they should be sandpapered first (I didn't do that!)

I have also used gloss paint on plastic pots (I did sandpaper them first since it made sense, i.e. enabling paint more likely to stick to surface).

I like to broaden my perspective of what can be used for a plant pot. Most people will buy lined wicker baskets for plants yet how many see an attractive varnished wicker basket (unlined) and think they could use this? It's relatively easy to make a lining (either a strong bin liner or strong clear plastic) - loosely sewing it in place at various points, making holes in the base of the liner then placing some grit there for drainage.

 

Peonies are one of my favourite flowers, especially the deep red ones (which I have in my back garden).

I had never heard of a tree peony so google image'd it... pretty but seems more of a shrub? Does it have hard bark?

 

yes it grows hard stems like a small shrub , and doesn't die back in to the soil over winter

 

It does Rosebay, though mine appears to be a bit brittle & crumbly at the ends.......thinking maybe I should have been a bit more 'savage' when I cut it back!?

 

cut it back thats news to me

 

ahaha I only trimmed a few branches......next doors cat had snapped a few while digging up the pot! Maybe that's the problem then Though RHS said 'light pruning' was a good thing

 

yes, on a larger plant but if broken cutting off was the best thing to do , have you fed it yet ?

 

I'm planning on lifting and feeding it this weekend when I have a bit more time and can get some no.3 compost, fingers crossed it all goes well

 

My opinion I would re-pot next year when its dormant as the shoots are brittle at this time of year , just concentrate on a feed and water well over the summer.

 

You are most probably right Spruce, I'll give it a feed and see how it goes. How often would you suggest feeding it?

 

what are you going to use ?

 

as above