First, let me compliment you on your efforts to salvage your prize peonies. I would have done the same. Let’s review the best preventative methods so this doesn’t occur again. It always starts with good cultural practices. Peonies prefer full sun and good drainage. Be sure there is good plant spacing and airflow to deter fungal foliar disease. If the plants are placed fairly close together that could aggravate the disease issue. Watering early in the day and only at the base of the plants is also helpful in preventing foliar disease.

Botrytis blight can begin early in the growing season, even as new shoots are just starting to come out, so start looking for it now. If you see any sign of blight even with all your good efforts, by all means, use the fungicide.  I do hope your new planting spot works out well and you've beaten the blight.

Judy

Thank you very much Judy.  Another issue that I forgot to mention is that I cleared some of a hillside and planted various things without thinking about the pine needles that would blow down from the tree uphill come fall.  I raked off the pine needles this spring but worry that my soil will still be acidic. Guess I should test the pH and amend the soil accordingly.  Any thoughts?  Cynthia

Testing your soil pH is always a good idea, but if your only concern is the pine mulch, I wouldn't get too worried Cynthia. It actually makes a great mulch material for your Peonies! But if you are concerned, or if you start to see some other issues this season, by all means, get us a sample and we'd be happy to take a look at your soil and guide you through that process.  Here is the link for the forms and how to send in soil samples:

https://pss.uvm.edu/ag_testing/forms.html

Judy

Thank you so much Judy.