Maintaining Peonies in Autumn: Essential Advice for Vibrant Blossoms in the Following Spring

Caring for Your Peonies: A Comprehensive Guide

Peonies, with their stunning blooms and seasonal beauty, are a cherished addition to any home landscape. Here's a guide to help you care for these long-lived, dependable plants.

Expert Advice from Landscape Architect Tonya Barnett

Tonya Barnett, a landscape architect specialising in sustainable urban design and ecological restoration, shares her insights on peony care. With 13 years of experience under her belt, she has transformed her backyard into a cut flower garden, a journey she chronicles on her YouTube channel.

Fall Care for Peonies

As cooler weather arrives, the first task in peony care is to cut back foliage to the soil level once it has died back completely. All plant matter should be removed from the garden and disposed of to prevent the likelihood of disease in the coming season.

Peonies can be fertilized early in the season, before the production of flowers, and also benefit from feeding in the fall. Sidedressing peonies with a balanced, slow-release granular feed is preferred. Avoid feeds with high amounts of nitrogen.

Planting New Peonies

Fall is the ideal time for planting peony tubers and divided roots for a longer period of establishment before new growth begins in spring. After planting, new peonies should be watered thoroughly to help the soil settle and aid in growth.

Mulch can be applied to new peony beds after planting to protect the roots from cold temperatures and prevent heaving. All mulch should be removed from beds in the spring.

Caring for Established Peonies

Established Itoh peonies require exposure to cold temperatures throughout winter to bloom their best. After the foliage has died back, they can be trimmed to soil level.

Tree peonies benefit from the use of a generous layer of mulch spanning towards their dripline.

Division of Peonies

Fall care for peony plants may also involve division, a good choice when the plants become exceptionally large or when you wish to multiply your favorite varieties. To divide a peony, first dig around the plant, carefully working in a large circle, and cut apart the roots, leaving at least 3-5 eyes on each section.

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