Your peonies will be shipped "bareroot". This just means that the soil has been washed from the dormant roots. Bareroot plants are easy to handle and settle in quickly. Tuck your peony roots in the ground with the tips of the roots pointing downwards and the "eyes" or growing points 1/2" to 2" below soil level.  Heads up - this depth measurement is important! If planted deeper, the roots will grow and produce foliage but the flower production will be limited. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart to allow for mature size. Planting Zones; 3 - 8