Peony Care in the Fall: How to Prepare Your Peonies for Winter

Peonies are beloved flowers that bring joy with their lush, ruffled blooms each spring. While their extravagant flowers only last for a few weeks, peonies are long-lived perennials that can thrive for decades in your garden with proper care. As fall approaches, it’s important to know how to properly prepare your peonies for the coming winter months. Implementing good peony care in the fall will ensure your plants survive the winter and return in full force next spring.

Why Fall Care is Crucial for Peonies

Peonies are very prone to fungal and bacterial diseases, so removing the foliage at the end of the season is critical. Peonies also grow new shoots and foliage from the ground up each spring, so the old foliage is not needed. Once the foliage turns coppery brown or black in the fall it’s time to cut it back. Leaving diseased foliage on the plant over winter provides a source of spores that can re-infect the plant in spring. Proper pruning sanitizes the plant and removes places where pests can overwinter. It also prevents diseases from taking hold when the new shoots emerge.

When to Cut Back Peony Foliage in Fall

It’s important not to cut back peony foliage too early You’ll want to leave the foliage in place through the summer and let it naturally yellow and die back, This allows the plants to absorb nutrients back into the roots before going dormant, Cutting foliage too early interrupts this process,

The perfect time to cut back peony foliage is when the leaves and stems naturally turn coppery brown or black, which usually occurs after the first hard frost. This generally happens in late September through October. Deadheading spent blooms throughout the summer will also neaten up plants. But resist the urge to cut back healthy green summer foliage, no matter how unattractive it may become.

How to Prune Peonies in Fall

When peony foliage is ready for cutting back, use clean, sanitized pruning shears or scissors to remove all above ground growth. Cut each stem down to the ground. It’s important to leave the crown – the fleshy part where the stems meet the roots – intact. New shoots for next year’s flowers and foliage will emerge from this crown in spring.

Dispose of the foliage immediately in trash bags – don’t compost it. This prevents any diseases from overwintering and spreading. Also remove any dropped leaves around the base of plants.

If you have tree peonies, these require little fall pruning. Just remove any dead, damaged or diseased wood.

Should You Dig Up Peony Roots in Fall?

Fall is an ideal time to plant and transplant peonies if needed. But only disturb roots if you must, as established plants resent root disturbances. If transplanting is necessary, carefully dig up roots in fall after pruning back foliage. Replant in prepared beds enriched with compost as soon as possible. Water thoroughly after replanting. Mulch newly planted peonies for winter protection.

Digging and dividing large, overcrowded clumps every 3-5 years in fall can help rejuvenate flowering. This is best done only with healthy plants. Discard the center clump with oldest roots and replant the younger side roots.

How to Winterize and Mulch Peonies

Good winter care helps protect peonies through cold snaps and fluctuating temperatures. After cutting back foliage, spread 2-4 inches of loose mulch like shredded leaves, straw or evergreen boughs over the crown of each plant. Take care not to bury the crowns, as this can cause rotting. Mulching insulates plants, prevents premature spring growth and minimizes freeze/thaw cycles that can heave plants from the ground.

In very cold regions, an added layer of insulation is prudent. Place a wire cage, laundry basket or cardboard box over peonies and fill with loose leaves. Remove the extra protection in spring once the worst cold passes.

Newly planted peonies are more vulnerable to heaving and cold damage. Cover them with a deep, 6-8 inch loose mulch layer for winter protection.

Spring Care After Winter Mulching

When spring arrives, remove any winter mulch from around peonies. Take care not to damage emerging shoots. Loosen and aerate soil around plants. Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost to feed emerging foliage. Keep beds free of weeds which compete for nutrients. Water during dry periods so roots don’t dry out while establishing lush top growth.

Once plants are a few inches tall, place peony rings or supports over young shoots. This prevents flopping, especially for double flowered varieties with heavy blooms. Stake up any fallen stems before buds open. Enjoy your peonies as they put on their spectacular spring show and adorn your garden with beauty.

Common Problems With Peonies and Solutions

With proper planting and care, peonies are remarkably trouble-free. But occasionally problems arise. Here are some common peony pitfalls and solutions:

• Foliage gets botrytis blight or other disease: Remove affected leaves immediately and destroy – don’t compost. Improve air circulation. Cut back foliage in fall.

• Few or no flowers: Ensure at least 6 hours of direct sun. Cut back at correct time – don’t prune in spring or summer. Divide overcrowded plants.

• Flowers droop or flop over: Place peony rings over emerging shoots in spring. Stake up fallen blooms before they open fully. Remove spent blooms promptly.

• Buds fail to open: Botrytis blight, late spring frost, or fall planting too late can prevent buds from emerging.

• Roots heave out of soil: Mulch deeply after ground freezes to prevent frost heaving. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization which causes abundant top growth.

Tips for Growing Gorgeous Peonies

• Choose a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil. Amend soil with compost or manure before planting.

• Plant peonies 2-3 feet apart to allow for growth. Dig hole no deeper than root mass and spread roots out evenly.

• Water new plants consistently until established. Mature peonies are quite drought tolerant.

• Remove spent blooms promptly to prevent seeding, which diverts energy from roots.

• Cut flowers in bud stage and early morning for best vase life. Place in water immediately and remove foliage below waterline.

• Avoid disturbing roots except when dividing congested plants. Transplant or divide only in fall.

• Propagate by root division or seeds. Seedlings take 4-5 years to flower.

With the right care in spring, summer and fall, peonies will abundantly and reliably greet each spring with a profusion of sumptuous blooms. A small investment of time in fall garden clean up will pay off for years to come. By removing foliage on schedule and applying winter mulch, you can feel confident your peonies will survive cold snaps in style. They will return rejuvenated, healthy and ready to flower even more prolifically next spring.