How to prune peonies correctly: Tips for abundant blooms

The most important points at a glance

Correct pruning of peonies ensures impressive blooms every year and maintains the plant's health – herbaceous and tree peonies require different pruning times and techniques.
To effectively support heavy blooms and prevent them from toppling over, we recommend using high-quality plant supports such as the stylish Grosetto from ELEO.
Clean, sharp tools and careful pruning protect against disease and promote growth, while ELEO products offer decorative function and practical support. unite.

The correct pruning of peonies determines the next year's floral splendor. It not only promotes the development of numerous buds but also ensures the long-term health and resilience of these beautiful plants. Those who master the few but crucial rules of when and how to prune peonies will be rewarded with a breathtaking display of blooms every year, growing in intensity with each passing season.

When is the best time to prune peonies?

Timing is of fundamental importance when pruning peonies. An incorrect time can weaken the plant and impair flowering for the coming season. To determine the ideal time, one must distinguish between the different types of peonies, as their growth cycles and needs vary. Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia lactiflora) This is the most well-known group, whose above-ground shoots die back completely in autumn. Autumn pruning is essential for them. Wait until the foliage naturally yellows and withers after the first light frosts, usually from late September or October. This process signals that the plant has withdrawn all the valuable nutrients from the leaves into its storage roots. Pruning too early would interrupt this important energy transfer and weaken the plant for winter and spring growth. Once the foliage has completely died back, all shoots can be cut back close to the ground, about a hand's breadth (approx. 5-10 cm) above the soil.

Tree Peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa)

Unlike herbaceous peonies, tree peonies become woody and form a permanent branch structure, similar to a rhododendron. Therefore, they do not require radical pruning. The optimal time for maintenance pruning is early spring, just before the buds swell, typically in late February or March. At this time, frost-damaged shoot tips and dead wood are easily recognizable. Pruning here primarily serves to shape the plant and maintain its health. Faded flower heads should be removed immediately after flowering in summer so that the plant doesn't invest energy in seed production. Intersectional Peonies (Itoh Hybrids) These fascinating hybrids of herbaceous and tree peonies combine the best qualities of both: the abundant blooms of tree peonies and the herbaceous growth habit of herbaceous peonies. Their pruning habits also fall somewhere in between. In autumn, the leaves and some of the stems die back, but a woody base often remains. In late autumn, cut back the withered stems to just above this woody base or to the lowest visible buds. This promotes compact growth and abundant flowering the following year.

Gentle Pruning Technique: How to Promote Growth and Flowering

Grosetto plant support with lush flowers

Grosetto plant support in hot-dip galvanised steel supports the plant with lush blooms

The way you prune is just as important as the timing. A well-thought-out and precise technique minimizes stress on the plant and maximizes the result. It's about setting targeted impulses that guide growth in the desired direction and stimulate flowering.

The right tool: Precision is crucial

The foundation for every good cut is sharp and clean tools.

Use high-quality bypass pruners, whose blades glide past each other to create a smooth, clean cut. Anvil pruners, which press a blade against a flat surface, can crush delicate shoots and create entry points for pathogens. Disinfect the blades with rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol before use and between pruning different plants to prevent the spread of fungal spores such as gray mold (Botrytis).

Type of Peony

Time to Cut

Recommended Cutting Technique and Goal

Herbaceous Peony

Late Autumn (October/November)

Cut all shoots approximately 5-10 cm above the ground. Goal: Removal of old foliage for disease prevention and preparation for new growth in spring. The cuttings should not be composted, but disposed of with household waste if there are signs of disease.

Tree Peony

Early Spring (February/March)

Remove only frost-damaged, damaged, or crossing branches. Make the cut directly above an outward-facing bud. Goal: Thinning the crown for better air circulation and maintaining shape. Do not prune back into old wood unless necessary.

Intersectional Peony (Itoh Hybrid)

Late Autumn (October/November)

Cut back shoots to the woody base or a hand's breadth above the ground. Goal: To keep the plant compact and promote vitality from the base for the coming spring. Stability and Protection: Using Plant Supports Herbaceous peonies, in particular, often develop such heavy, double blooms that their stems break under the weight, especially after a rain shower. To prevent this, early support is essential. High-quality metal obelisks are an ideal, durable, and stylish solution. They are placed over the plant in spring when the shoots are about 20-30 cm tall. The shoots then grow through the frame and are supported discreetly. This not only protects against wind and weather damage, but also ensures better air circulation inside the plant, which significantly reduces the risk of fungal infections and perfectly showcases the blooms.

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The Right Location: Light, Soil, and Care for Healthy Peonies

No amount of pruning can compensate for a poorly chosen location. Peonies are exceptionally site-faithful and, under optimal conditions, can thrive in the same spot for over a century. Careful planning before planting is therefore the best investment in long-lasting floral splendor.

Light, Air & Temperature

The ideal peony location offers full sun for at least six hours a day, preferably in the morning. This is essential for the formation of flower buds. Light partial shade in the afternoon is tolerated in very hot regions and can even extend the flowering period. An airy location is also important, allowing the leaves to dry quickly after rain. Avoid depressions where cold air collects and areas where the roots of large trees and shrubs are crowded.

Soil Conditions & Nutrients

Peonies prefer deep, nutrient-rich, and well-drained loamy soil. The pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5 to 7.5). Waterlogging is the greatest enemy of fleshy roots and inevitably leads to root rot. Therefore, in heavy soils, sand and compost must be generously incorporated to improve drainage. Soil preparation before planting is crucial for long-term success. Planting depth: an often underestimated factor A common reason for the lack of blooms in herbaceous peonies is planting them too deep. The "eyes" (the red buds at the root tip) should only be covered by a maximum of 3 to 5 centimeters of soil. If they are planted deeper, the plant will produce leaves, but the necessary cold stimuli in winter for flower formation will not reach the buds sufficiently. With tree peonies, however, the graft union should be about 10-15 cm below the soil surface to encourage the formation of their own roots. After pruning: Resting phase, nutrients, and preparation for the next season The period after pruning is a phase of regeneration and gathering strength. With the right measures in autumn and winter, you lay the foundation for a vigorous start to the new gardening season. This care is the invisible work that pays off in spring in the form of vital shoots and countless buds. Comprehensive hygiene at the planting site: After autumn pruning, carefully remove all cut shoots and fallen leaves from the bed. Fungal spores (e.g., Botrytis) and pest eggs can overwinter in these plant remains and would infect the young, tender shoots in spring. A clean environment is the best preventative plant protection.

Targeted nutrient supply: The main fertilization takes place in spring. A dose of mature compost or an organic, potassium-rich fertilizer shortly before bud break optimally supports the plant. Potassium promotes stem strength and flower formation, while too much nitrogen would lead to soft, disease-prone foliage at the expense of flowers.

Careful winter protection: Herbaceous peonies are generally completely winter-hardy and do not require protection. Young plants can be covered with a light layer of brushwood or leaves during their first winter. For tree peonies, it is advisable to mound soil around the base in harsh climates to protect the graft union from severe frost.

Ensure adequate water supply: Even when the plant is dormant, the root ball should not dry out completely. During long, dry autumn and winter periods without snow, occasional, moderate watering on frost-free days can be beneficial to protect the plant from drought stress. Frequently Asked Questions How does pruning differ between herbaceous, tree, and Itoh peonies? The main difference lies in their growth habits. Herbaceous peonies die back completely to their roots in autumn and require cutting all foliage back close to the ground to prevent disease. Tree peonies have a woody, perennial framework and only need light pruning in spring to remove dead wood and maintain their shape. Itoh hybrids are a hybrid; With peonies, the shoots are cut back in autumn to a short, often slightly woody base to maintain their compact shape. What happens if you don't prune peonies? If a herbaceous peony isn't pruned, the dead foliage remains on the bed over winter. This creates an ideal damp environment for fungal diseases, especially the dreaded gray mold, which can infect the new growth in spring. With tree peonies, a lack of pruning eventually leads to bareness in the center, poorer air circulation, and reduced flowering on the older, weaker shoots. Pruning is therefore an essential measure for rejuvenation and maintaining the plant's health. How long does it take for peonies to bloom again after pruning? Pruning itself doesn't directly affect the time until the next bloom, but rather its quality and abundance. After proper pruning in autumn (perennials) or spring (shrubs), the plants will sprout again at the normal seasonal time in spring. The flowering period depends on the variety and the weather and is usually between May and June. A newly planted peony often needs two to three years to establish itself before it blooms profusely. Consistently correct pruning ensures that the floral display increases year after year from this point onward. Conclusion: Properly caring for peonies and enjoying their blooms for many years Caring for peonies is a rewarding task that requires patience and attention, but is rewarded with unparalleled beauty. Correct pruning at the right time, combined with an optimal location and proactive care, is the foundation for healthy plants and a magnificent abundance of blooms. Enhance the splendor of your peonies with high-quality metal obelisks and watch your garden transform into a true peony oasis year after year!

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by Annett Zahn Annett Zahn

Plants and herbs are my passion. From a young age, I was able to build up a wealth of knowledge in this area, which my garden constantly benefits from.

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