To ensure healthy growth of peonies, following best practices for cutting them back is essential. Here are the key steps:
Cut Back in Fall: The ideal time to cut back herbaceous peonies is in the fall, ideally after the first hard frost.
This timing allows the plant to absorb nutrients from the foliage before it dies back, which helps strengthen the roots for the next growing season. Wait until the leaves turn yellow or brown, indicating that the plant is dormant.
Use Clean, Sharp Tools: Always use sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts, which helps prevent disease. Ensure that your tools are clean to avoid transferring any pathogens between plants.
Cut to Ground Level: For herbaceous peonies, trim the stems back to about 1 inch above the ground. This helps maintain a neat appearance and prevents the buildup of decaying foliage, which can harbor diseases.
Remove All Foliage: Clearing away all dead plant material helps control diseases such as botrytis and powdery mildew. This practice reduces the risk of these diseases overwintering and affecting the plant in the spring.
Differentiate Between Types: Understand the type of peony you have. Herbaceous peonies should be cut back completely, while tree peonies require less drastic pruning, typically just removing spent flowers and cutting back the top growth by about one-third.