Peonies are like that aunt who shows up to a party in a dramatic hat—gorgeous, full of character, but not always great at staying put. If you’ve ever watched your heavy-headed blooms tip over like they’ve had one too many, I understand your frustration. Just when they’re about to show off their full ruffled glory, down they go. It would be comical if it weren’t so tragic.
That’s why this video by @bricksandblooms feels like a gardener’s version of a life-saving seatbelt. She combines some metal wires and clever thinking and rigs up a neat contraption for her yet-to-bloom peonies, and the results are too brilliant not to share.
Why Do Peonies Fall Over in the First Place?
Most peony varieties have these huge, layered blooms that get weighed down by rain, dew, or just their own ambition. Their stems weren’t exactly built for the gym, and with a bit of wind or water, the whole plant ends up face-first in the mulch.
Some gardeners use single stakes or hoops, but peonies have a habit of leaning wherever they please. One support in the middle might help a little, but the sides still droop like a new mom’s tired eyelids. You need something that keeps them upright from all directions without turning your flower bed into a fortress.
If you want your peonies to stand up for themselves when they’re grown, try this simple hack.
1. Build a Wire Support Frame Early
The best time to support peonies is before they even start blooming. Once the stems shoot up and buds form, the plant becomes a tangled mess to work around. Right after they emerge from the ground, when the leaves are unfolding but the plant’s still compact, is your golden window.
Start by pushing about six strong metal garden wires or rods into the ground around the plant. Space them in a loose circle so they form a low frame, like legs on a stool. These vertical wires will become the base of your support system, and they need to be tall enough to hold up the plant at full height, ideally about two-thirds of the final bloom height.
2. Add a Circular Mesh Top for All-Around Support
Using more wire, create a flat, circular mesh panel. You can join sections of wire together or repurpose something like a wire cooling rack or the top ring of an old tomato cage. The goal is to make a round lid with holes large enough for peony stems to grow through.
Place this mesh “lid” across the tops of your vertical wires. It should sit just above the current height of the foliage. As the plant grows, the stems will naturally thread through the mesh holes. Once the blooms open, each stem is held upright in its own little space, supported from all directions without needing ties or extra hands.
3. Let the Foliage Do the Camouflaging
Once the peonies leaf out and start blooming, the support structure practically disappears. The leaves and petals cover the mesh completely, so all you see is a full, lush mound of upright blooms. There will be no drooping flowers, sorry stems lying flat in the mud, or plastic hoops or twine ruining the look.
If the mesh is made well and stored properly after the season, you can reuse it year after year. This setup keeps you and your peonies looking like you’ve got it all under control, even when you still can’t remember where you parked your car at the store.
A Few More Plants That Appreciate the Backup
Peonies aren’t the only heavy bloomers that topple when the weather turns. Tall dahlias, gladiolus, and double-headed sunflowers all start strong, then keel over like they’ve had a long day of serving tables at the local diner. A simple wire support can save them from a season in the mud.
Did you know that peonies can live for decades—some for over 70 years, blooming in the same garden, rain or shine? They outlast gardeners, fences, and sometimes even houses. Yeah, your peony just might outlive you.
