Fall Care of Peonies

I love Peonies in the spring, their variety of blooms from sling rows of petals to those that rival the largest English Roses.  And their scent!  Heavenly!

And although they can grow in the harsh desert climate of Nevada, I have found most plants need a little TLC due to the temperature fluctuations and arid climate, especially in winter. So I did a little research and thought I’d pass it on to you.

Did you know Peonies have the ability to last for 50 plus years!  And probably longer if given a little extra attention.

Here are a few fall tips I learned to keep them blooming in the spring:

• Let the leaves die back naturally.
• After the first fall frost, cut the stems down to the ground and dispose of them.
• Divide plants if necessary, but usually this should only every 15 or 20 years or if they stop putting out flowers.
• Cover with a straw mulch to maintain even ground temperature.  This is especially true for climates such as mine where snow doesn’t create a blanket of protection.
• If you live in a cold rainy climate, then make sure you destroy clippings and old much from around peony beds prior to covering with straw mulch to avoid fungal infections.