When we lived in Illinois, I had peonies and I loved them. We had the old fashioned fragrant ones in the back along a fence and some of the newer cultivars sent to us by my brother by the driveway in the front. When we moved, I tried to dig up one and did manage to get a couple of eyes. They had been there for about 20 years and had roots you wouldn't believe. I used to give my neighbor a huge bunch to take to the cemetery on Memorial Day. Recently our son visited his brother and sent me a photo of the ones coming up by the driveway. I am happy that the new homeowners didn't do what many do and dig them out and throw them away.