Winter Care of Peonies
- 1). Use pruners to cut the peony down to ground level after the foliage has turned yellow in autumn. Avoid passing disease and bacteria from plant to plant by using pruners that have been cleaned with a solution of nine parts water to one part household bleach.
- 2). Dispose of the peony foliage in the garbage can. Avoid placing the foliage on your compost pile as peonies live many years and the soil can often harbor diseases or pests.
- 3). Spread 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the base of the peony plant. Use an organic mulch such as straw, shredded bark or pine needles. Avoid using dry leaves which can easily blow away during the winter. Remove the mulch when new growth emerges in spring. Mulch is especially important during the peony's first winter.
- 4). Give tree peonies extra protection by wrapping the tree with burlap. Tie the burlap loosely with garden twine. Burlap will protect the plant from cold temperatures and harsh winter wind. Remove the burlap as soon as the weather warms in spring.
