It's Not Too Late! Prune This Flower In October After The First Frost

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You may have heard that fall pruning is a bad idea. The truth is, there are plenty of plants you should be pruning in the fall, and some that you should skip. It really depends on the growing habits of the plant. But one plant in particular should not only be pruned in October to promote healthy growth next season, but it should also be pruned after the first frost. Peonies (Paeonia spp.) bloom best if you wait until after the first hard frost before cutting them back. 

Early pruning is one of those mistakes that everyone makes when growing peonies. Experts say that when peonies are pruned in August or September, they generally produce fewer blooms in the spring compared to peonies that are pruned after a hard frost. A hard frost fully kills the remaining foliage on the peony plant. By removing the foliage after it has fully died, you can stimulate future growth and remove any diseased debris to prevent future infections.

Peonies are perennials that can be either herbaceous or woody shrubs, or a hybrid of the two types. They produce large, often fragrant blooms in the spring and summer in most agreeable zones, which generally range from zones 2 to 8.  Herbaceous peonies are the ones that need the fall pruning; tree peonies should mostly be left intact to keep them strong for the winter. 

October is the perfect time to care for your peony plants for big blooms in the spring. However, it is important to pay attention to timing and keep an eye on the condition of your plant. You can deadhead spent flowers whenever you see dead blooms, but avoid cutting away the foliage until the plant has gone through a hard frost. However, if you notice diseased or damaged foliage, you can remove it completely right away and discard it safely to prevent further spread of damage. 

To prepare for pruning in October, make sure you have a sharp set of pruning shears to ensure healthy growth, such as the Meperez Ultra Sharp Germany Steel Pruning Shears. After the first hard frost, you can cut all the foliage and the stems down to the ground. If needed, you can also mulch your peonies at the same time. Just be sure it doesn't touch your plants' stems as disease-causing fungi can live in mulch, and never cover the crown or eyes of your plant, as this can ruin your plant's chance of blooming.