Peonies are perennials that will live for decades, even generations. Some peonies have been known to thrive for 100 years or more. The blooms are outrageously beautiful, producing lush, glossy, green foliage all summer long, turning purplish or gold in the fall. They are as stately and dignified as any shrub. They are somewhat more expensive to propagate, but well worth their cost, and you should think of them as an investment in your garden. If Sarah Bernhardt is the queen of the peonies, yielding large, pure pink, fragrant Blooms, then Karl Rosenfield, with its stunning double red fragrant flowers, might as well be called the king of peonies. In most of the country, the rules for success are simply full sun and well-drained humus-rich soil. Peonies even relish cold winters because they need chilling for bud formation. In zones 8 and higher, they are harder to grow. They are not fussy, but choose your location wisely so that they can be left alone once planted. Plant away from trees or shrubs, as peonies do not like to compete for food. After flowering, cut out the flower stalk, leaving the foliage. To prolong optimal results, they may need to be dug, divided, and replanted every 3-6 years. Best to Google how to go about this.