My fellow gardeners, it’s June! This means our peonies will soon finish flowering. You know the saying, all good things must come to an end.
Well, we can’t expect the second set of blooms, but what we can do is prepare our peonies for the next season. Of course, we want more fragrant and stunning blossoms but that won’t happen on its own.
Luckily, the to-do list for peonies isn’t long, but we should complete all the tasks if we want the best results.
And one of the tasks is cutting back your peonies. I know that winter is still far away but the early bird catches the worm, so it’s essential to start preparing in time!
I’m sure you’re now wondering when exactly is the right time. Luckily, the key to success is just ahead!
Cutting Your Peonies In Fall Is Your Golden Ticket For Happy And Healthy Plants!
Admit it, you don’t want to do something unless it’s crucial. For peonies, the cutting back technique is vital for them to survive winter.
However, you should wait until the fall to complete this task. Once your peonies finish blooming, their foliage will still be lush and green and you shouldn’t touch it.
Of course, you must snip off all the diseased or damaged stems or leaves throughout the summer. But all the big work can wait until fall.
The main purpose of leaves during the summer months is to absorb sunlight and convert it into much-needed energy. You’ll ensure enough fuel for your peonies and they’ll thrive and bloom abundantly next year.
Fall is a pretty broad term, so you should look for some signs your peonies are ready for a big pruning.
Your peonies will start turning yellow, and that’s your green light for putting on your gardening gloves and starting the trimming! Yellowing typically occurs when the first frost hits, so checking the forecast is also a good approach.
You’ll probably feel tempted to prune earlier because, I must admit, these plants can look pretty messy in late summer. Well, cutting them back at this point may give you a prettier garden display but it can harm your peonies!
If You Have Second Thoughts About Pruning, Read This
Cutting back is an excellent way to help your peonies grow healthier next season but that isn’t the only reason why you should do it.
Disease prevention and control! Ok, Jennifer, there’s no need to yell. Well, I’ll do whatever it takes to convince you to cut back your peonies!
I had issues with both botrytis blight and powdery mildew in my peonies, and the last thing I want is the same to happen to you.
If the foliage catches any of these diseases, the fungus will survive winter and destroy any chances of growth and blooming the following spring.
Instead of worrying about it, simply snip off everything come fall, and you’re good to go!
If you haven’t had luck this year and your peonies are already diseased, you can apply fungicide to the soil after removing all the plant parts.
Different Peonies – Different Pruning Requirements!
Gardens in Florida, California, and other US states are mainly filled with herbaceous peonies, and all the pruning tips above refer predominantly to these species.
If you grow any other types, such as tree peonies, you don’t need to go with hard pruning. Trimming the plants once they’re done flowering will ensure healthy growth once the new growing season begins.
As our journey ends, yours is just beginning! By cutting back peonies at the right time, you ensure a spectacular bloom display the next year!