Peonies are known for their ability to withstand cooler temperatures, but it is essential to wait until after the first hard frost of the season before starting pruning. The optimal timing for cutting back peonies can significantly vary by region, and tree peonies should be pruned after the first frost.
Plant health is the main reason for cutting back peonies, as diseases can be controlled by removing diseased foliage during the growing season and by cuttin. When fall sets in, usually around October to November, peony foliage will fade and wilt, making it time to trim. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss has the lowdown on pruning, stating that waiting for the foliage to be finished for the year, turning a lovely shade of orange or deep red, helps prevent common issues and promote robust growth for the next spring.
Herbaceous peonies should be cut back in the fall when the leaves are no longer green, and the color of the leaves is key. For herbaceous and Itoh peonies, late October is usually an ideal time for pruning. Tree peonies should be cut back in fall, after the first frost, as stems have died back naturally. Dead and decaying foliage can be removed in spring.
Knowing when to cut back peonies—both the flowers and the foliage—will help maintain a healthy plant and encourage blooms for the following season. If your peony blooms don’t make it inside for cut flower, it is best to prune them right after they bloom.
The best time to prune a tree peony is right after it blooms, not after the first hard frost. Herbaceous peonies should be cut back between October and November, after the first frost and when the foliage has turned yellow. Flowering buds for the next year should be developing and growing, so avoid cutting them back until late October/early November. In the fall, cut back peonies but wait until the foliage has died or fully yellowed after a hard frost. With herbaceous and intersectional peonies, it is a good idea to remove all stems and foliage to ground level as soon as the foliage has died back in the autumn.
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