When it comes to supporting peonies or other perennials, there are various options available in garden centers. However, many of these supports can be quite expensive. If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, one option is to use wire-ring tomato towers.
To use a wire-ring tomato tower as a support for peonies, you can start by cutting the tower in half just above one of the rings. This will give you two shorter towers that can be used to support your plants.
Using wire-ring tomato towers as supports for peonies has several advantages. Firstly, they are readily available in most garden centers and are usually affordable. Secondly, they provide a sturdy and durable support for your plants, helping them stay upright as they grow and preventing them from flopping over.
When using wire-ring tomato towers, it’s important to ensure that the size of the rings is appropriate for the size of your peonies. The rings should be wide enough to accommodate the foliage and stems of the plants without causing any damage or constriction. If the rings are too small, they may not provide adequate support and could potentially harm the plants.
To install the wire-ring tomato towers, simply push the legs of the towers into the ground around the peonies, making sure they are securely in place. It’s a good idea to install the supports early in the season, preferably when the plants are still small, so they can grow into the supports as they mature.
In addition to wire-ring tomato towers, there are other support options you can consider for peonies. For example, you can use bamboo stakes or wooden dowels to create a framework around the plants and tie the stems to the stakes using soft plant ties or garden twine. This method allows you to customize the height and shape of the support according to your specific needs.
Another option is to use a peony ring, which is a metal support specifically designed for peonies. Peony rings typically consist of a set of interconnected metal stakes that form a circular or square shape. These rings can be placed around the plants and provide excellent support for the foliage and flowers.
In my personal experience, I have found wire-ring tomato towers to be a cost-effective and reliable option for supporting peonies. They are easy to find in garden centers or online, and they can be reused for multiple seasons. Additionally, they provide a neat and organized appearance to the garden, helping to showcase the beauty of the peonies.
Wire-ring tomato towers can be a great choice for supporting peonies and other perennials. They offer an affordable and durable option, allowing your plants to grow upright and thrive. However, it’s important to ensure that the size of the rings is suitable for your peonies and to install the supports early in the season. Ultimately, the choice of support will depend on your personal preference and the specific needs of your peonies.
