Root division is necessary when peonies have stopped flowering as well as they used to; it's also done simply to multiply the amount of peonies in a garden.
Tools and Materials
Digging fork
Sharp, clean knife
Peony Root Division How-To
1. First, cut stems down to the ground. Use a digging fork to bring up the root clump. Gently remove the dirt, and identify the eyes. (Eyes are the scars where leaves emerge.)
2. Use a sharp, clean knife to divide the clump into smaller pieces. Make sure each piece has at least three eyes and part of the root system. Plant as you would a newly purchased root.
Resources
For more information about peonies, visit Klehm's Song Sparrow at songsparrow.com.