I just received 4 bare-root peonies. They were inexpensive, but are good-sized clumps, and all have healthy sprouts. I'm in Oregon, zone 8B, and the soil will not warm up til late May. It is still very wet. I would appreciate any advice about soil amendments, optimal planting conditions, when to expect blooms. I have a sunny SW spot with good river loam for planting. Hoping someone from the PNW sees this, as I have always been afraid of trying peonies in our cool, damp climate.

No one is replying so I will give you my thoughts.
You want to plant them while the ground is cool, as they put out most of their feeder roots when it is cool. The soil should be moist, but not wet. Adelmans Peonies are in Oregon and you might want to follow their planting guide.

Thanks, Caroline: I was being lazy in not looking up information for myself. So often, plant care is different here in my part of Oregon because of the long winter's rain and the late-coming of spring sunshine. I do have beautiful moss, tho!

I has a similar zone in AL to yours but you have a lot more cool months. Caroline is correct about Adelman's, they're in Oregon in zone 8a and grow some of the best peonies in the US, Carol Adelman takes home multiple awards for their peonies every year from convention! She has some excellent videos demonstrating how she plants in such a wet area, hers really would be the best advice for your situation. You'll definitely was to plant shallow and high if possible, mounded or raised beds to lessen the negative impact of the wet climate. Choose a spot with excellent drainage or amend to get a spot that way. As far as amendments, it's always best to get a soil test and adjust from there. Peonies prefer a relatively neutral soil so if your ph is really high or low you'll want to fix that. Without a soil test the most I'd feel comfortable suggesting is something like BulbTone, an organic, fairly weak fertilizer and maybe compost.

Liz: I checked out Adelman's website---gorgeous! They are fairly close by, so I'll try to visit their gardens in June. Don't know why I have been so reluctant to try peonies, except that I thought they were difficult to grow, and had to be in the ground for a couple of years before blooming. My garden is primarily jungly (bananas, aroids, palms, canna, bamboo, etc.), but I found myself longing for big colorful flowers, so I planted lots of dahlias and gladiolas, which actually look tropical and have the same water/fertilizer needs. The peonies will add big blowsy flowers early in the season! If they bloom this year, I'll post a pic.

Are you on Facebook, Marty? If so look for a couple of groups—Peony Lovers and Enthusiasts and the American Peony Society group. Those 2 are very active and one member in. Particular jumps to mind, Steven Smith is around Seattle He's also a photographer and takes wonderful peony pics from his garden and shares the there.
There is another peony grower in Brooks OR, Brooks Garden Peonies. Therese and Abel Sprauer own it, she'd also be a great source for you. The Pacific NorthWest Peony Society is also very active, know Carol Adelman is a part of that one. She's a fairly quiet lady but very generous with her knowledge when asked.

Liz: I'm following up on your suggestions and, the more photos I see, falling in love with these gorgeous flowers!