How to prune chinese peony

Deadhead immediately after flowering in late spring to early summer; cut to ground in autumn after foliage yellows. Remove spent flower heads by cutting the stem back to the first set of healthy leaves. In autumn, cut all stems to 5–8 cm (2–3 in) above the ground. Dispose of all cuttings in the bin — do not compost, as botrytis overwinters in peony debris.

Annually (autumn cutback); deadhead after each bloom. Chinese peony needs light annual pruning, not heavy cutting. Deadhead spent blooms promptly to keep the plant tidy — do not compost peony debris as it can harbour botrytis. In autumn, once foliage yellows, cut all stems to just above ground level. Never cut back in summer as this removes next year's energy reserves.

Remove spent flower heads by cutting the stem back to the first set of healthy leaves. In autumn, cut all stems to 5–8 cm (2–3 in) above the ground. Dispose of all cuttings in the bin — do not compost, as botrytis overwinters in peony debris.