How To Grow Peonies In Houston . I would love to buy a peony plant as opposed to the bare root. Neil sperry (a gardening expert located in dallas) recommends putting ice cubes on the roots of a peony through winter months. Letters to the Editor (poem) Peonies in a Pandemic from www.sfchronicle.com Neil sperry (a gardening expert located in dallas) recommends putting ice cubes on the roots of a peony through winter months. Pot up the peony in early spring. Create a rich, well draining planting hole for each of your peonies to grow over the years.