7This cheerful no-nonsense narrative demystifies every aspect of the peony and its unusual life cycle, navigating the obstacles to success. Prepare for the September planting season by exploring how to choose peonies for your purpose - landscape, cut flowers or both - and learn about recommended varieties for each. Get detailed instructions on how to dig, divide and plant peony roots for the best long-term success. Discover how to cut fresh flowers and how to cold-store buds for events up to 7 weeks in the future. "How Not to Kill a Peony" follows the author's transformation from clueless peony-obsessed beginner making every mistake in the book, to seasoned peony farm owner passionate about educating others on how to avoid and overcome the same issues. Packed with hundreds of photos that will inform and inspire, for all levels of expertise. kansasgardenmusings.blogspot.com, February 25, 2020, Dr. James K. Roush, Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, author, Master Gardener and self-proclaimed garden curmudgeon: "I've read several garden books this winter, but none better than this one. As a testament to its engaging prose, I read 'How Not to Kill a Peony' in a single sitting, learning more in an hour about how to choose peonies than I did in my previous lifespan. I've never seen a better presented "How-To" that will help you grow peonies that are the envy of the neighborhood. 'How Not to Kill a Peony' is a delicious, straightforward, and sometimes snarky 98 page read that quickly brought me to understand many useful things. Every important fact about growing peonies is covered, and covered in straightforward fact. And the most important advice? Plant peony varieties that don't flop! Who knew? Now, darn it, where did I leave that Song Sparrow catalog? I just don't have enough peonies in my front yard...."