Find out exactly when to cut back peonies and how to do it properly to benefit next years blooms.
Herbaceous peonies(Paeonia lactiflora)are among the easiest flowering plants to grow.
One key to success is knowing when to cut back peonies and how to properly make your cuts.
Credit:Bob Stefko
They do best withgood drainageand plenty of air circulation, which helps reduce disease issues.
By cutting back peonies and disposing of the foliage, gardeners remove the existing fungi and their food.
While some garden detritus helps toharbor beneficial insectsover the winter, leaving dead peony foliageinvites plant diseases.
Credit:Kindra Clineff
Peonies flower in late spring, but the plants have more to do.
Cutting the plant back too early affects next years growth.
The best time to cut back peonies is to wait for thefirst frost in autumn.
You need a sharp,clean pair of prunersor shears.
Some gardeners never cut peonies back.
While powdery mildew isn’t pretty, it won’t kill the peony.
However, its usually best to leave the foliage to harvest whatever sunlight it can for next year.
