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Peony through Winter

smigger55smigger55 Posts: 34
in Problem solving

Hi all,  I planted a Peony earlier this year. It seems to of established itself and stayed nice and green throughout the summer. No flowers as yet.  Anyway I've staked it as it's grown as it's still quite young but growing. Now the winter months are here.. it's now turned brown/yellowy and the leaves are dropping. Shall I cut it back or just leave it? Was wondering as it still seems quite young to me.  Thank you.

PS.  is there a search function on this forum? I always have to make a new post if I have a question when it may have been answered before. Thanks 

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,158

    I like new posts. The old ones are so often revived for adverts I tend to ignore them.

    If your paeony is herbaceous it will die right back to the ground and regrow next year.

    If it's a Tree Paeony it will keep its woody growth and regrow from there. 

    Either way, just watch and wait



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • smigger55smigger55 Posts: 34
    nutcutlet says:

    I like new posts. The old ones are so often revived for adverts I tend to ignore them.

    If your paeony is herbaceous it will die right back to the ground and regrow next year.

    If it's a Tree Paeony it will keep its woody growth and regrow from there. 

    Either way, just watch and wait

    See original post

     Thank you, so no pruning involved then... ? One less job to think about... looking forward to some blooms next year hopefully. 

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,158

    image



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • PalaisglidePalaisglide Posts: 3,414

    I have several Peony or Peonea as I was taught by Dad many years ago. I cut the flowering stalks back after they are done flowering then leave the foliage to feed the root ball through the rest of summer. After the foliage shrivels it is left as a frost cover over the  root ball until spring. 

    In spring you will see small red growths appearing this is the new plant, carefully cut back any old foliage. I then lightly brush the root ball clear of any dross and loose earth. Now put a mulch of mixed compost and granular fertiliser around the root ball not touching or covering it, a circle around the root ball leaving a few inches clear of it then water in. Once the top growth is well on its way then stake it, I put stakes around and then weave strings through the top growth to hold up the heavy flower heads. A warning depending how old the plant is it can take up to five years to flower, one of mine from a cutting took seven years I got one flower now it has many flowers, it is the nature of the plant.

    They do not take much looking after a little care in Spring is all then staking when due to flower as that in our region often occurs when the winds are strongest. My shrubs are nearly forty years old Dad had one over  80 years old when I was still at home, I love them.

    Frank.

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 3,854

    @smigger55,

    to search this forum for posts about peonies, type the following in your internet browser:

    peony site:http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/

    @Palaisglide,

    Thanks for the detailed instructions, esp. about fertilizing the peony crown in Spring. As for staking I use my home-made metal supports as explained at http://www.rezeau.org/wp-garden/en/making-your-own-metal-plant-supports/

    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
  • smigger55smigger55 Posts: 34

    Thank you for your responses guys, it's very much appreciated. My Peony is only a baby... so will let it die back naturally and leave till Spring till I start tending it again. I probably won't have any flowers for a while, good job I'm patient.  image

    Thanks also for the tip for searching image

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