Peony winter care

Peonies are beloved for their lush, fragrant blooms that bring elegance to gardens all over the world. While these flowers require minimal maintenance during the growing season, proper winter care is crucial to help them thrive and bloom beautifully in the spring. In this blog, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide to preparing and protecting your peonies for the colder months. Read on to learn more!

Prune in the fall

Once the first frost hits, it’s time to cut back your peonies. Here’s how:

• Remove dead leaves and stems: cut the stems down to 2-3 inches above the soil.
• Dispose of the clippings: don’t compost the foliage, as it may carry diseases or pests. Instead, throw it away to keep your garden healthy.

Pruning in late fall reduces the risk of fungal diseases like botrytis and keeps your peonies strong for the next season.

Mulch the peonies for protection

Peonies are tough plants, but in regions with harsh winters, they can benefit from a little extra care. Adding a layer of mulch, such as compost, around the base of the plant provides insulation and helps protect the roots from extreme cold. However, it’s important to avoid covering the crown of the plant, as this can lead to rot.

When spring arrives and the frost is no longer a threat, it’s time to remove the mulch. Clearing it away allows the soil to warm up and encourages new growth, ensuring your peonies are ready to thrive in the new season. With this simple step, your peonies will be healthy and strong after the winter.

Divide and transplant if needed

Winter dormancy is the best time to divide and transplant older peonies that have become overcrowded. Start in the fall, about 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. Carefully dig up the rood clump and divide it into sections. Make sure each piece has 3-5 buds. Replant the divisions in a sunny location with well-drained soil. This helps the plant grow better and produce more flowers next season.

Check for diseases and pests

Before winter begins, take a moment to check your peonies for diseases and pests. Start by clearing away any plant debris around the base to get rid of pests that might survive the winter. If you see signs of fungal infections, use a fungicide and make sure the plants have plenty of airflow to stay healthy.

Avoid fertilizing in late fall

Peonies don’t need fertilizer in late fall or winter. Fertilizing during this time encourages new growth, which can be damaged by frost. Wait until spring to provide balanced nutrients when the plants are actively growing.

Protect the peonies from snow and ice damage

In regions with heavy snowfall, it’s important to protect your peonies during winter. Use stakes or cages to support the plants and prevent the stems from bending under the weight of the snow. Snow can protect the plants, so you can leave it alone, but if ice forms around the crown, gently remove it to prevent damage.

Mark the location of the peonies

Peonies disappear completely in winter, so it’s easy to forget where they are. Use stakes or labels to mark their sport and avoid disturbing them during winter gardening.

Groot & Groot: order peonies in bulk

Would you like to learn more about peony winter care? Or are you curious about the prices of our peonies or peony roots? Then feel free to contact us. Groot & Groot supplies peony flowers and peony cuttings in wholesale quantities. We supply worldwide to professional growers and (export) wholesalers. At Groot & Groot, we are able to grow peonies all year round. So we are not seasonal. It’s also possible to e-mail us directly at info@grootgroot.nl or call us at +(31) (6) 110 60 243. We would like to help you!