When Should I Cut My Peonies In Iowa?

In Iowa, the best time to divide and plant peonies is September. This article explains that planting peonies in Iowa is an art and science, and timing is crucial. In late October or early November, it is generally a good time to cut back peonies by cutting off the stems near ground level. If the peonies experienced foliar damage, wait for the first frost in autumn. When the leaves turn color and you are digging out sweaters and thinking about pumpkin spice, it’s time to grab the shears.

Knowing when to cut back peonies is a crucial part of peony care in the yard. After deadheading your peonies, don’t be afraid to cut herbaceous peonies right back in fall to boost new growth in spring. Peonies can be cut and deadheaded in the spring and summer and must be cut down in the fall to control disease. The main signal to look for when it comes to cutting back your peonies is the leaves. If the leaves are still green, they are still using sunlight to feed the roots.

Peonies can be left undisturbed in the garden for many years, but they can be successfully transplanted if redesigning a flower bed or wishing to move them to a different location. The best time to prune a tree peony is right after it blooms, not in the fall like an herbaceous or Itoh peony. Peonies can be cut and deadheaded in the spring and summer and must be cut down in the fall to control disease.

In mid-September to early October, it is the best time to dig and divide peonies. Begin by cutting off the peony stems near ground level and then carefully dig up each plant. When pruning peonies in fall, stop trimming before you hit the crown, which is the fleshy area between the stems and roots.