They delight with their delicate flowers, which delight the hobby gardener's eye in early summer. The flowering period of the peonies comes to an end by mid-July at the latest. Then it's time to prepare the perennials and shrubs for the next gardening season. This also includes maintenance pruning, which takes place in late summer. In autumn there will be another strong pruning in the garden program. We explain how to cut spent peonies and what you need to pay attention to.
Cutting peonies: When is the right time to prune?
End of July - beginning of August is the right time to cut spent peonies. After the end of the flowering period, seed formation begins, for which the plant wastes valuable nutrients. If thewithered flowersbut be cut off in time, then the perennial begins to develop its roots and prepare for the cold season.
Pruning peonies in summer, after flowering: instructions
- First, clean sharp secateurs thoroughly.
- Then cut off the withered flowers and stems.
- Leave the shoots and leaves standing.
- Exception: Remove diseased shoots and leaves immediately.
With hybrids, you cut back into the old wood. Since they sprout in spring, the hybrid varieties can easily tolerate heavy pruning. If you decide to do this, you should protect the plant from frost.
When is pruning in the fall an option?
The above-ground parts of the peony plant die off in autumn. You can then cut the plant back to the ground. However, it is better to leave them for now and then remove them in the spring. Mainly because the dead leaves and shoots act like a layer of mulch and protect the ground from frost.
However, if the peonies are frominfested with pestsor suffer from an illness, then pruning in the fall makes sense. The cut plant parts are collected and disposed of with household waste.
Care for faded peonies properly after cutting
After all spent flowers have been removed in late July to mid-August, you should prepare the plant for the upcoming fall season.More on the topic of flower cuttingcan be found here.
Pour
The peonies need a lot of water even after the flowering period has ended. In hot weather, water the plants early in the morning, thoroughly every two to three days. Never allow the soil to dry out and use rainwater if possible. If it rains in summer, you can water if necessary.
Fertilize
Do not stop fertilizing after the end of the flowering period. Similar to watering, you should provide the plant with nutrients regularly until autumn. Fertilizing is very important because this is the only way the peony can recharge its batteries so that it can sprout vigorously and produce flowers again next year. The perennials tolerate organic fertilizers such as horn meal and compost particularly well. Give the plants fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to promote root development.
Cut or grow bush peonies?
In contrast to other peony varieties, the shoots of tree peonies do not wilt. In autumn the shrub loses all of its leaves and they fall off, but the shoots remain green and fresh and can produce leaves and flowers again after the end of winter. The tree therefore does not need to be pruned in autumn and you can simply let it grow. In spring this gets a topiary cut.
Peonies in pots do not need pruning
When it comes to pruning in summer, potted peonies don't differ much from outdoor perennials. Remove dead flowers after the flowering period ends in July and August. You can then cut the plant back if you store it in a warm and wind-protected place in winter. Otherwise, leave the dead above-ground plant parts standing.
The peonies in the pot need regular fertilization because, like all potted plants, watering washes away important nutrients from the soil.
Cut peonies for the vase
Peonies from your own garden also look good as cut flowers in a vase. However, the perennials should be at least 4 years old before the flowers can be cut off.
The right time is also crucial in this case. As soon as the flower buds on the plant open slightly, you can cut off around 30% of all flowers including stems and leaves. Then cut the peonies diagonally with a very sharp knife. The rule of thumb applies – the larger the cutting surface, the better. This allows the flowers to transport sufficient water to the flower via the stem. For this purpose, leave a 24 - 25 cm long stem and three to four leaves. It is best to have cut flowers highArrange vase.
