I know this disputes an almost carved in stone edict that peonies must be planted at a certain depth in order to bloom but, in a peony society magazine, an expert wrote advice that peonies seek their correct depth on their own accord. The first year, and possibly the second year, depth is important but the plant will succeed in later years. My personal opinion is it is better not to have blooms the first year in order for the nutrients to be used to create better roots. Many times, I pinch all the buds off my new fern leafs for that reason.
