They inevitably come to the fore when they are in bloom. Later they fall into oblivion, the peonies, because their foliage does not attract much attention. But when do you cut flowers for the vase? Is an annual pruning necessary and when?
When they are in bloom, peonies can be cut for the vase
3 times cutting can be useful
Don't make the mistake of radically pruning your peony after flowering! The roots still collect nutrients from the leaves. That lasts until about September. Only when the foliage has turned yellow should a perennial peony be cut down to just above the ground. This pruning is necessary every year (exception: shrub peonies).
Cutting can also be useful then:
- Immediately after flowering: remove old flowers
- in September to obtain the follicles/seeds
- Cut flowers: when the buds are turgid and the flower color is visible
tips
Diseased parts of the plant should also be cut off as soon as they appear!