How to prune peony

Deadhead immediately after flowering (late spring/early summer); cut stems to ground in autumn after first frost. Deadhead by cutting the flower stem back to the first healthy leaf below the bloom. In autumn, cut all stems to 5 cm above soil level with clean secateurs and remove the cut material from the garden to reduce botrytis risk.

Deadhead once after flowering; hard cut-back once annually in autumn. Peonies need minimal pruning — just deadheading and an annual autumn cut-back. Remove spent flowers promptly after blooming to prevent seed energy drain, but leave all foliage through summer, as it feeds the root system. In autumn, once foliage has died back after frost, cut all stems to just above ground level to reduce disease overwintering.

Deadhead by cutting the flower stem back to the first healthy leaf below the bloom. In autumn, cut all stems to 5 cm above soil level with clean secateurs and remove the cut material from the garden to reduce botrytis risk.