Peony - buds not opening

I use Peony hoops---no grid, just a hoop with 3 legs (check Gardeners' Supply catalog) The circumference is large enough to hold a large Peony. Mine drooped in the rain, but they were not flattened.

calliope said:
I use Peony hoops---no grid, just a hoop with 3 legs (check Gardeners' Supply catalog) The circumference is large enough to hold a large Peony. Mine drooped in the rain, but they were not flattened.

How long have your hoops lasted? Mine didn't last beyond 2 years before they were all bent out of shape and fell apart from the weight of the plants (I did buy them at Gardeners Supply).

I've had them at least 5 years.

I buy peony cages like these:

https://www.horseloverz.com/product/stakes/307974-doublepeonyplantsupport.html?sku=5-259020&gdftrk=gdfV27555_a_7c1161_a_7c2883_a_7c5_d_259020&ev_pid=5-259020&ev_ppid=105212226250&ev_adtype=pla&ev_cmpg=Shopping&gclid=CMCGxdqs_cUCFdQTHwodDhYAdQ

They had them at the Vauxhall Home Depot this spring

calliope said:
I've had them at least 5 years.

Wow -- I couldn't believe how beat up mine got. Maybe it was animals......

I've found the hoops useful. Occasionally a stem or two flops over despite the hoop, but at least the whole plant isn't sprawled out into the driveway. I put both the hoops and the legs out when the peony shoots are about a foot or 18" tall (theoretically, anyhow) and guide the outer shoots through the openings as needed.

Our very first peony blossoms opened yesterday or today! Can't wait for the rest! (this is in Wisconsin, so zone 5ish, we're way behind NJ)

eta, these are the hoops with a grid. I think some of them came from Gardeners Supply and some from a local store. They're green. They've lasted nicely so far, 3 or 4 years, I think.

PS jasper, your white one is just gorgeous.

Thanks, mjc. For some reason, the white blooms seem to be lasting much longer than the pink. That one in the picture is just starting to get a few brown spots, but it's still continuing to open up at the center and looking quite pretty on my counter.