Posted on 18-7-2023 by Nina-Beheerder
How do I prune peony?
How do I prune peony? Pruning your peonies is not generally necessary and usually is only advised when a mature plant is getting too large, or the branches are growing too thick. October is the best month for pruning. Cut away the oldest and thickest branches and leave the younger, newer shoots behind. When choosing where to make your cuts, ensure there are at least two branches left so that the plant can still store energy for further growth. Be sure to give them a generous dose of manure after cutting as well. Do you have a herbaceous peony? Prune the plant back to about three centimetres above the ground in September/October, and remove any unsightly leaves come autumn. Be sure to discard everything, and do not leave any branches or leaves lying around in your garden. Fungi and diseases can survive through winter on the pruning waste of peonies and will attack the healthy plant come springtime.
Caring for peonies
Caring for peonies is not that difficult as they are a species that needs little attention. Once positioned in a beautiful spot in the garden you can enjoy this hardy plant for years. Peonies are real sun worshippers and require at least five hours of sun per day to flourish. They dislike wet roots and harsh, cold winds though. Peonies thrive in clay soils, but if planted in sandy soil will need extra manure. In any case, it is advisable to use compost or spread mulch around its base just before the new growth and flowering period starts in March. If a peony grows so large that the flowers begin to hang and droop, place some supports under the branches to support them. Peonies bloom more fully and vigorously the longer they have been left in the same place, so avoid moving them wherever possible. Only transplant a peony during autumn if it does not bloom or is producing very few flowers.
Peony Plant Supports
Prevent peonies from drooping when they get too top-heavy, by adding a plant supports. A plant support ensures that your peony stays upright when it starts flowering. The large flowers can sometimes make the plant top-heavy, which can cause the flower stems to droop. And you prevent the plants from tipping over when it gets very windy of after heavy rainfall. Plant supports are available in various sizes. As soon as the Peony starts to grow, stake the plant support above the plant using bamboo or Tonkin canes. As soon as the plant grows, the leaves help conceal the plant support. Plant supports are also suitable for other large flowering plants like Dahlias and Gladioli, as well as other tall perennials that can use a little support. The supports are sold in sets of 3.
Want to buy a peony?
