How To Prepare Peonies For Winter Pruning?

Peonies (Paeonia) require a period of cold temperatures below 40F during the winter to stimulate bud development. They need about 30-40 days of chilling time, resulting in 700+ hours of chilling time. To prepare peonies for winter, cut back the stems to about 2 inches above ground level, remove any dead or damaged foliage, and clean up around the base. Herbaceous peonies benefit most from an autumn haircut, as it reduces the time during which the foliage absorbs sunlight.

To prune peonies for winter, start by preparing the plant properly, then cut the stems back close to ground level. Dispose of the cuttings. Cut just above the crown, the fleshy part between the stem and roots, to avoid injury and hinder proper regrowing. The best time to prune tree peonies is right after it blooms, not in the fall like herbaceous or Itoh peonies. After a hard frost in the fall and once the plant has died or yellowed, cut the stems back at or near ground level, being careful not to cut into the crown.

Herbaceous peonies should be cut back in fall between October and November, after the first frost and when the foliage has fully yellowed. For hybrid peonies, prune the tall shrub down to 4-6 inches in height so that only 1-2 inches remain. After the first hard frost in fall, cut back peonies to about 3 inches (8 cm) high or all the way to the ground. Remove the dead foliage and cut off the stems at or near ground level after a hard frost. Thoroughly remove all plant debris and dead foliage regardless of whether the plant is a tree or a hybrid.