How can I plant smelly peonies and lilacs in central Texas?

I think peonies need some freezing weather to survive. lilac may need that dormant stage too. google it and find out. they are both too big to stick in fridge. haha

Thanks Mary lu❣️

I do not think Texas gets cool enough for lilacs, I am sorry to say. I have seen peonies that far south and they should do well. Plant in soil that is partial sun during the day, and mulch them in your hot climate so they get plenty of moisture . (we use cypress or cedar mulch to avoid getting termites) . Also, peonies have to have ants to open them. I had to import ants from a friends yard one summer as my peonies all budded but did not open and we had no ants! They were the black ants we found for them. I do not think all ants are the kind to open peonies. Hope this helps a little and good luck with your gardening!

https://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1342724/

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/gardening/article/Lilacs-and-peonies-A-transplanted-gardener-s-5448978.php

Hi Kristy.

Here's a plant that mimics lilacs that can be grown in Texas, but I don't know Texas well enough to know if this applies for you. :( You can look for an Extension in your county if this doesn't work.

https://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/homehort/archives-of-weekly-articles-davids-plant-of-the-week/texas-lilac-vitex-a-hot-summer-texas-superstar-plant/

That same database answered one question about peonies in Texas this way:

"Answer:

Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Peonies are not suited for any part of Texas except the extreme north and certainly not south of Dallas-Fort Worth."

https://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/earth-kind-horticulture/2008-may-weekly-q-and-as/

The best thing to do would be to find your own Extension (every area has one). They should have the latest information for you. Wishing you the best.