Peonies need to be pruned after flowering so that they bloom longer next year and the flowers are more beautiful and healthy.
However, many gardeners make a mistake during pruning and cut off the flower buds.
Trimming time
The correct time to prune is 3-4 weeks after the flowers have fallen and when the stems are bending towards the ground.
The time falls on the beginning - middle of July. During this time, the bushes accumulate nutrients and grow young buds that will give flowers next year.
If you prune earlier, the bush will not have time to stock up on the necessary substances.
Pruning is not the only thing that needs to be done with peonies.
First, you need to remove fallen flowers, water the soil and add manure. Only then can you start pruning.
Rules for pruning peonies
It is important to check the age of the plants before pruning.
Pruning is done when the bushes are no more than 10 years old, then it will give the desired result. Pruning depends on the type of plants. They can be herbaceous or tree-like. Herbaceous peonies are cut almost completely, about 2-3 cm of stems from the ground.
Tree-like plants cannot be pruned heavily.
For them, sanitary pruning of diseased, old and broken branches is done.
Faded buds should be removed two buds below the flowers.
