How to prune peony flowers

When to prune peonies

Early spring pruning: Peonies are suitable for pruning in early spring, after the flowers fade and before winter. All the remaining flowers, overlapping branches, crossed branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, and dead branches on the plants should be pruned off in time.

For the branches of peony propagation by cuttings, choose the branches that sprouted from the soil of the same year, which are 10-18 cm long. Choose a ventilated and sunny place for the nursery bed, and build a high bed for seedlings. When inserting the peony cuttings, the nursery bed needs to be watered thoroughly.

Peony flower pruning

After the peony blooms, the branches need to be pruned in time, and they should be cut as short as possible, retaining those branches that have flower buds but have not bloomed, to promote the renewal of the plant.

Peonies enter a dormant period in winter. At this time, all overlapping branches, crossed branches, diseased and insect-infested branches on the plant should be cut off, and weak branches should be shortened to promote plant recovery. For overgrown branches, they can be pruned back to reduce nutrient consumption.

Tips for pruning peony flowers

For peonies, it is necessary to promptly remove dead branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, maintain a dynamic balance between the above-ground and underground parts, maintain a beautiful plant shape, allow the plants to be ventilated and light-permeable, concentrate nutrients, grow vigorously, and bloom profusely.

After the peonies fade in April and May, cut off the remaining flowers and prune in mid-September. The main purpose of this pruning method is to establish the main trunk and continuously grow new branches through pruning.

Peony flower pruning results

After the peony flowering period, all the remaining flowers and dead leaves should be removed. This can reduce the consumption of nutrients and water in the potted plants, which is beneficial to the differentiation of flower buds and promotes flowering again next year.

Things to note when pruning peony flowers

After the peony flowers sprout, remove the overcrowded branches and side buds in time, keep the strong ones and remove the weak ones, maintain ventilation and light transmission, and pick off the flower buds and some residual flowers from mid-March to early May to reduce nutrient consumption.