When Should A Peony Bloom Be Mowed?

Peony plants, including herbaceous and tree peonies, benefit from pruning in autumn for health and shape. Tree peonies should not be cut back to the ground yearly but can be pruned for health and shape after blooming is finished. Peony flowers rarely flower for more than six weeks and typically stop blooming in late spring or early summer. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss provides guidance on pruning peonies to prevent common issues and promote robust growth for the next spring.

The best time to prune a tree peony is right after it blooms, using clean pruners. Herbaceous peonies should be cut back between October and November after the first frost and when the foliage has turned yellow. The main signal to look for when cutting back peonies is the leaves, as they are still using sunlight to feed the roots.

Pruning can typically occur in October or November. After a hard frost in the fall, remove all old stems on herbaceous peonies in late fall after the first frost turns the foliage yellow. Peonies can be cut and deadheaded in the spring and summer, but must be cut down in the fall to control disease.

In summary, pruning peonies in autumn is crucial for their health and growth. By following the guidelines provided by gardening expert Melissa Strauss, you can ensure that your peonies continue to thrive and produce healthy fruit.