We buy them from growers, in the case this year, Klehm's. They are sold bare root. Dug and cooled at a precise temperature to ensure chill period as well as dormancy ( I don't know the precise temperature but I can find out, I think). When I buy them from the sale, I keep them in the fridge until May and directly plant them out. They do fine in bloom the next year, very rarely do I get a blossom in the first year. Peonies here definitely like fall planting as compared to spring planting. They like the chance to settle in before doing their thing. Too many weather factors here to promote a great spring growth.
