2 min readBlowsy pink peonies in full bloom are one of the joys of late spring. But if you want to encourage a greater flush of flowers next year, October is the time to give them a little extra attention.
This doesn't mean getting overexcited and pruning before your peonies are ready. According to Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, timing is everything.
“The main job for peonies in October is to let the foliage finish its work before cutting it back. The leaves are still feeding the roots and helping to form next year’s buds, so cutting them too early can reduce the following season’s flowers,” he tells us.
“Once the foliage has turned yellow and started to die back, cut it down to about five centimeters (about two inches) above ground level. Clear away the cut leaves and any other debris from the bed and dispose of it, as this helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases overwintering on the plant.”
If you're keen to grow even more plants next year, or perhaps want to move your peonies to a new spot, late October is the time to act.
“If your peony is established and you want to move or divide it, late October into early November is the ideal window,” Palphramand says. “Lift the clump carefully, keeping as much root as possible and making sure each division has at least three to five ‘eyes’ or buds, then replant with the crown no more than five centimeters below the surface. Don't plant too deep, as this can reduce flowering.”
In terms of caring for these plants, Palphramand also has a few key tips. “Add a thin layer of compost or well‑rotted manure around the base, but avoid covering the crown or letting mulch sit against the stems. If the autumn is dry, water at the base rather than overhead, as wet leaves can encourage disease.”
Palphramand also recommends not feeding your peonies now. Instead, he suggests saving your fertilizer for early spring when the flowers will most benefit.
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