Cutting peonies: when and how to do it

Peonies are shrubs or perennials that die back in the fall. Wilted plant parts have to be cut - but when and how?

To begin with, we would like to point out that there are two types of peonies There are: On the one hand, perennial peonies, which only develop herbaceous, above-ground parts of the plant and these in winter withdraw again, and on the other tree peonies, whose shoots gradually become woody and can therefore be seen in the garden all year round are.
The pruning measures for a tree peony (for example Paeonia lutea-hybrids) are not difficult to carry out and do not follow any fixed rules. If the tree peony has been planted in a favorable location, it will branch out evenly and develop an attractive shrub shape all by itself. And also the pruning of a perennial peony (for example Paeonia lactiflora) is hardly worth mentioning, since in winter this plant withdraws its above-ground life into the soil. In some cases, however, the gardener of this plant genus can skilfully reach out under the arms or the branches. In the following we reveal what you need to consider when pruning your peonies.

When to cut peonies

The time when the peony wants to be cut amounts to the second half of the year. Depending on the type of pruning to be done, this time varies from June to December. The different types of cuts, on which the timing depends, are explained below.

Cut peonies: proceed depending on the type of cut

Depending on whether it is a shrub or perennial peony, there are different procedures. There are even three different types of pruning for the tree peony. Because this peony does not retreat into the ground and gradually lignifies on its shoots. It springs from the ground in multiple shoots and ideally branches out evenly above ground. How to properly cut the tree peony is explained below.

Cutting shrub peonies: the care cut

The working method in the care provides that all dead and dried-up parts of the plant are removed. These can either be individual branches or flowers. When winter comes to an end, it is for both aesthetic and plant hygiene reasons advisable to use the dead wood, on which no swelling, sprouting buds can be seen, to cut away.

Cutting shrub peonies: the topiary

This cut is usually rare, but can occur if the peony is in too heavy or nutrient-poor substrate or if the planting depth is not sufficient. Under these circumstances, a peony cannot branch properly, but forms one or two branches of of the base, which are bare of leaves below, and by their excessive length under the weight of the flowers twist. To counteract this appearance, prune the peony back in the fall. Between October and December, the peony is cut back to the ground, which encourages the formation of buds at the base.

A mainly organic fertilizer is then carefully worked in and a well-aerated substrate mixed in around the plant. A long-term fertilizer like our Plantura is ideal Organic flower fertilizer. It can also happen that the peony hardly grows on existing shoots and the formation of flowers decreases. This is often seen in connection with the emergence of many new shoots at the base. This can be prevented by removing the new shoots from the base so that all the energy goes into the existing branches and the flowering process is strengthened again. In this case, a dose of organic fertilizer should also follow, optimally potassium carbonate (potash).

Pruning tree peonies: treating damage

Tree peonies can be mechanically damaged by snow loads, strong winds, lawn mowers or careless handling of the above-ground parts of the plant. If this happens in young specimens, the extent of damage depends on the depth of planting. Cut off any damage to the peony cleanly. If the grafting site is well covered with soil, it is likely that the surrounding buds will be undamaged, since the junction between scion and rootstock is underground. As a result, the scion initially still has the resistant roots of the "wild" rootstock, but is stimulated by the contact with the earth to develop its own roots over time. Later, the scion should have developed its own root ball. If necessary, the peony can also be given better support with three supports. With older and well-branched specimens, it is sufficient to cleanly cut off the damaged wood. Even with serious injuries, the chances of survival are very high.

Cutting perennial peonies: The clean-up cut

The cut in a perennial peony is easy to implement and is limited to a cleaning measure in the Autumn, as the plants die off their above-ground organs and go underground over the winter withdraws. So in the fall between September and October, prune the peony to about 10cm above the Soil down so as not to provide a habitat for fungi, which become a danger when they sprout again could. An alternative to autumn is the period in spring. The advantage of this is that there are no longer any frosts that can penetrate the plant through the cuts and cause parts to freeze to death. In addition, withered foliage also acts as an insulating winter shelter for the sensitive base of buds underneath.

Pruning peonies: Cut faded flowers

The faded plant parts of the peony harbor the risk of infection. Therefore, peonies should also be cut after flowering in June or July. Doing this will prevent the flowers of the tree peony from rotting, which increases the risk of disease. For example, fungi could thrive in the withered plant parts, as they form a small, sheltered, and moist habitat. It is better to prevent this instead of resorting to a pesticide later.

Cut and trim peonies for the vase

Another way to enjoy peonies is to bring them into the house from your own garden with a vase. However, there are a few points that you should pay attention to. A detailed description of this can be found in our special article Peonies in the vase.

In order to let them shine in their most beautiful splendor, in addition to cutting is also that Fertilizing the peonies important. Here you can find out what you should pay attention to.