Households urged to stop making huge mistake with peonies in summer
You might be looking forward to seeing your pretty pink peonies bloom in time for summer, but experts caution gardeners to avoid making this mistake when growing these flowers
As temperatures across the UK soar, gardeners have been warned to look out for their peonies as these delicate flowers don't love the heat. Luckily, there is one effective way to cool them down that many gardeners aren't aware of.
Most of us are gearing up for a warm summer. The UK saw the hottest start to May on record this year, with millions of Brits enjoying the blast of sun. It also means more of us are spending time in our gardens, from hosting barbecues to cultivating plants. Unfortunately, there are some flowers, like peonies, that aren't enjoying the heat.
Peonies are popular garden plants that typically flower between April and June. They are known for their delicate petals which range from a soft blush to a deep pink colour.
They're also famous for being able to withstand the cool British climate. In fact, peonies actually prefer cold temperatures and require a chilling period while dormant to flower properly.
Therefore, the increased temperature means that conditions may not be as optimal for them to grow. If peonies are in an environment that is too humid or warm, they may not blossom reliably.
So, how do you create a chilling period for peonies in warmer weather? Fortunately, according to flower expert David Denyer from Eflorist, all you need is ice.
David says: 'This method applies specifically to garden-grown, non-cut peonies — the kind planted in borders or beds. Peonies require winter chill to reset and set buds for the following year.'
Ice can be a quick and reliable way to cool plants down. He continues: 'In areas of the UK where winter temperatures no longer reliably drop low enough, placing ice around the base of the plant during dormancy can help trigger that necessary cold response.'
Ice should be applied during the plant's dormant phase, which typically between late November and February. David says: 'Place a few ice cubes directly onto the soil above the roots, avoiding the crown and stems."
He adds that this should be repeated every few days for several weeks during mild winters. Although, he warns: 'Ensure your planting area has excellent drainage to avoid waterlogging from meltwater, which can cause rot.'
Other tips for keeping your peonies lush and healthy include planting them in spots where they will receive morning sun and afternoon shade. This will help keep them cool.
Equally, using compost or natural mulch will help the plants retain moisture during hotter periods. In event of dry spells, you should also water the base of the plant deeply.
Another option is to buy heat-tolerant peonies, like Bowl of Beauty or Coral Charm. These are much better adapted to withstand fluctuating temperatures.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Met Office issues three thunderstorm warnings - see exact time deluges will end
Thunderstorms are set to drench millions of Brits this week with three Met Office warnings issued - half a month's rain in the space of a few hours is on the cards Brits up and down the country are set to endure some grim conditions in the coming days, with thunderstorms bringing torrential rain across many counties. Met Office forecasters are warning that millions will end up caught in the deluge this week, with as much as half a typical month's rainfall expected to fall in the space of a several hours. Thankfully, forecasters have also predicted the rough time when this set of thunderstorms will finally come to an end. Weather maps shared by the Met Office show vast swathes of the UK under yellow thunderstorm warnings from today until Saturday. Most of Wales and the south-west of England, excluding the southernmost tip of Cornwall, are under a yellow thunderstorm warning from 12am to 1pm today with car, train and bus journeys expected to face some delays. The whole of Northern Ireland will be under a warning from 6am to 9pm, with residents being warned of delays to train services and the possibility of short-term power loss. Another thunderstorm warning has been issued on Friday for the entirety of East Anglia, Essex, Kent and much of Greater London and Sussex. The warning will remain in place between 3pm on Friday and will continue to about 6am on Saturday morning. Met Office forecasters say there is a "small chance" some communities could be cut off by flooded roads and that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly. As much as 50mm of rain could fall over the duration of this third warning. "Rain, heavy and thundery at times, will continue north and east throughout the day," the Met Office said in its forecast for Thursday. "Brighter conditions behind, although some heavy showers at times. Warm and increasingly humid, despite the breeze." Forecasters added for Friday to Sunday: "Staying warm and humid on Friday with another spell of heavy and thundery rain developing, especially later. Staying changeable over the weekend with some further rain, but feeling fresher." Scotland and Northern England appear to escape the worst of the storms, with temperatures expected to hover around the teens throughout much of the week ahead. Thankfully "dry and fine weather" is expected later this month with daytime temperatures expected to trend around or above normal for this time of the year. Toward the end of the month and into July, the warm weather is expected to shift into more changeable conditions. Rain or showers could be heavy and thundery once, which the Met Office said was "normal" for the time of year.
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dog owners urged to ‘keep pets indoors' until 6pm from tomorrow
DOG owners have been urged to keep their pets indoors all day from tomorrow, as temperatures across the UK soar. Pooch owners are advised to keep their canines inside the house during the hottest parts of the day from 9pm on Thursday, June 12 to 8am Sunday, June 15. 2 Pet owners are urged to keep their dogs inside this week Credit: Getty 2 Temperatures across the UK are set to soar this week Credit: Met Office The warning comes from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), who have issued the first yellow heat health warning of the year. The UKHSA said: "If you are going to do a physical activity (for example, exercising or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening." The yellow warning applies to the East Midlands, South East, East of England, and London. It states that the hot weather will lead to "greater risk to life of vulnerable people", and "increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people." It adds that Brits should learn the symptoms of heatstroke and heat exhaustion so that they can help out others who are suffering in the extreme heat. The Met Office predicts temperatures up to 30C on Friday in some areas and has also issued yellow thunderstorm warnings as the warmer weather arrives. The hottest parts of the day are typically between 12pm and 6pm so dog walkers should avoid bringing their pooches inside during this time. The RSPCA warned: "Dogs should have regular exercise and involving them in your outings and family fun is expected, but if the weather is warm, it can be too much for our dogs." The animal charity added that dogs with health conditions, flat-faced breeds such as pugs and pooches with thick coats are most at risk. "As dogs rely on their respiratory system to keep cool, unfit and overweight dogs and those with heart or respiratory disease are more likely to heat up faster and take longer to cool down", it said. Urgent warning to dog owners over room in home that could prove deadly to pets Eve, a veterinary nurse from the UK and a dog mum-of-three recently took to TikTok to share a warning for dog owners. She said: "The temperatures are rising and taking your dog on a walk is not worth risking their life. 'Do it responsibly - 6am in the morning, 8pm at night when it's nice and cool.' Dog breeds most susceptible to overheating In general, there are six groups of dogs who struggle most in hot weather... Firstly, those with underlying health problems. Dogs can't sweat like we can, so rely largely on panting to cool down. However, if they have airway or lung impairments, or suffer from fluid balance or hydration issues, then this is more difficult, and their ability to lose heat is reduced, meaning they are at a higher risk of heat-stroke. Overweight animals find it harder to ventilate, and their core temperature rises faster than you'd expect for a lean dog. Very young dogs or very old dogs are also at increased risk of heatstroke, and these owners should be even more cautious in hot weather. Dogs with very thick coats, who are adapted to a colder climate. Dogs such as the Husky or Malamute - and even the Chow Chow - have been bred to keep heat in. However, this comes at the price of being less well able to cope in hot weather. Their thick double coats effectively trap heat, making it the equivalent of us going out in the July heat wearing a fur coat and thermal underwear: they get very hot, very quickly. This problem can be alleviated by clipping (NOT shaving), however, the coat can take a long time to grow back. In a heatwave, though, if you're struggling to keep your dog cool, I'd personally rather have a dog with a thinner coat who's alive than a luxuriously coated dog in the morgue. Short-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs. These dogs have been bred to look "cute", with big eyes and flat faces. Unfortunately, the result of this has been a narrowing of the airways and a profusion of soft tissue in the nasal chambers and pharynx - we call this Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, and it profoundly affects their ability to pant and lose heat. Like a dog with any other respiratory disease, most members of these breeds are highly prone to heatstroke, and as they are often overweight as well, are at very high risk in hot weather. When is it too hot to walk my dog? Kathleen Pohl, a vet from Pet Health Club revealed the the ideal temperature to walk your dog in is between five and fifteen degrees. Up to around 23 degrees it is ok to lightly exercise your dog but any strenuous exercise could put them at risk of heat stroke. However, when temperatures rise from 24 up to 27 degrees, according to this vet: 'Most dogs will find the heat very uncomfortable - while it's not immediately life threatening, prolonged exposure can lead to overheating and exhaustion." However, the vet warned that any temperature above 32 degrees is extremely dangerous for dogs. The vet highlighted: 'At this level there's a high risk of life threatening heat stroke. "Dogs can suffer from dehydration, rapid heart rate, even organ failure.' She added: "Remember, a dog has never died from skipping a walk, but they die every year from heat stroke. Don't walk your dog in the heat.'
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits told to make 5 changes as mega heat warnings issued ahead of 30C scorcher
People have been advised to stay alert with temperatures set to reach 30C this weekend - here's how to keep your home cool and your loved ones healthy in the heatwave Brits across large swathes of the country have been warned to 'take precautions' due to the upcoming heat wave this weekend. Temperatures are set to soar to 30C, leading the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue a yellow heat-health alert for the first time this year. The Weather-Health alerting system warning will be in place from 9pm on Thursday to 8am on Sunday across the East of England, East Midlands, London and South East regions. With the temperatures forecast, UKHSA data predicts a likely spike in the use of healthcare services by vulnerable members of the population - plus a heightened risk to people over 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. "Our findings show that even moderate heat can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun," said Dr Agostinho South, UKHSA's head of extreme events and health protection. "The forecasted high temperatures are expected to be short-lived but could primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions. If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice." Thankfully, plenty of advice is out there on how to keep safe during periods of hot weather, including five top tips from the UKHSA. They are: Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing, such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, and seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm If you are going to do a physical activity (for example, exercising or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening Staying hydrated can stave off heat-induced headaches or, more seriously, heatstroke and putting water bottles in the freezer is another top tip. And while warm showers may sound like a surprising suggestion, if your body temperature is running hot they will cool you down. Drinking hot tea or coffee is also said to counteract the heat by raising your core temperature, causing you to sweat and ultimately cool off. And take advantage of the pressure points on your wrists and ankles, resting them in a bowl of cold water to cool you down.
