How to Winterize Peonies for Massive Spring Blooms (Avoid This Fall Mistake!), by Let's Grow with Arv on YouTube. 5 min 12 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 12 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Wait until the first hard frost has blackened the foliage on herbaceous peonies. Cut the stems to 2 to 3 inches above the soil with clean bypass pruners.
Gather all cut leaves and stems and put them in a yard waste bag, not the compost bin, to help reduce fungal disease.
For tree peonies, leave the woody stems standing. Remove only dead, damaged or diseased wood and clear away fallen leaves.
Clear weeds and old mulch from around each crown. Avoid digging close to the crown or damaging shallow roots.
After the soil freezes, spread 2 to 3 inches of straw around herbaceous peonies, keeping it slightly away from the crown.
Build a wire mesh ring around tree peonies, leaving space between the mesh and the stems. Fill the ring loosely with straw.
For potted peonies, move the pots to a sheltered spot out of strong wind. Wrap or bank the pots with straw to insulate the roots.
Check the protection after storms and firm it back into place. Remove the straw gradually in spring as new growth appears.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not cut tree peonies to the ground, because their woody stems carry next year's growth.
Keep mulch off the crown and stems so water drains and rot does not set in.
Clean your pruners with rubbing alcohol between plants to avoid spreading disease.
Wear gloves and eye protection when cutting wire mesh.
Questions
Can I cut my tree peony back like a herbaceous peony?
No. Tree peonies have permanent woody stems, so cutting them to the ground removes years of growth. Only remove dead or damaged wood.
Should I mulch peonies before the ground freezes?
Wait until the soil has frozen, then apply a light straw mulch. Mulching too early can keep the soil warm and encourage rot or early growth.
How do I overwinter a potted peony?
Move the pot to a sheltered spot, insulate it with straw, and keep it from sitting in standing water.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
