Pruning peonies

by Mary Ann
(Wisconsin)

Do I cut down my peony bushes now or fall, or in spring? Also, some of the buds didn't open, can you tell me why? Busshes are 3 yrs. old, in good soil, and
get watered properly.

Thank you

Doug says you prune your peonies in the fall after they have been knocked back by frost. Cut them to the ground then. You cut the spent flower stalks off after the blossoms have died (cut the stalks as close to the ground as you can)

So it's a two-stage pruning. Cut flower stems back after flowering and the entire plant to ground in fall.

Buds don't open because of botrytis (usually).