Want More Peonies Next Year? Don't Forget This Simple Post-Bloom Step

Peonies (Paeonia spp.) are the kind of flowers that make you stop and stare. With their cloud-like petals and rich colors, it's no wonder gardeners are eager to plant peonies in the spring to brighten up their gardens. And if you want these flowers to blossom again, even better next year, a little post-blossom care can go a long way. This key step is deadheading — the process of removing spent blooms from the bed.

Once peonies finish blooming, their energy shifts toward root development and setting buds for the next season. But if you leave the spent blooms on the plant, it may start developing seeds instead, which takes away some of the energy from the roots. Deadheading your peonies stops this and makes sure all that power goes into a stronger plant for the following year.

To do it right, use clean, sharp pruners, and cut just below the old bloom, above the first set of full, healthy leaves. Keep in mind not to remove the foliage, because it is keeping the plant healthy through photosynthesis. It also keeps your peony bed looking tidy. If you skip this step, you may still get blooms next year, just not as many or as full.

Deadheading is just one aspect of post-bloom care for peonies. Summer and fall care are equally important. Peonies love the sun and need it for at least 6 hours a day. During dry spells, water them deeply to maintain steady moisture, but steer clear of soggy soils.

In summer, if you see healthy foliage, it means that the plant is storing good amounts of energy. However, once winter arrives, trim the stems down to about an inch above the soil to prevent rot and prep the plant for regrowth. This cleanup reduces the chance of fungal issues like botrytis blight from spreading in the garden. And do not toss that plant waste into your compost pile because those pathogens can stick around and cause problems for your blooms next season. Instead, dispose of it with your other garden waste.

Once this cleanup is done, add a light layer of mulch a few inches away from the plant's crown. This can help insulate the roots against cold, harsh winters and help retain moisture. Together, good watering habits, sun exposure, mulching, and timely trimming give your peonies what they need to be strong and healthy next season.