Peonies pruning is done after a heavy frost in fall. This Dutch-approach to shipping flowers ships peonies upright, pre-hydrating in water-filled proconas for the ultimate performance and presentation. This is because unlike the blooms, the leaves may not exhibit regrowth the following year. Advertisement. Avoid pruning tree peonies hard back as they are often grafted onto herbaceous peonies. The cost-effective way to disinfect pruners is to soak them in a solution containing one part bleach and three-part water. It’s best to cut peonies in the early morning or late in the afternoon/evening. In other words, don’t wait for them to flower (even though they are gorgeous when they start to flower). If you do leave them in the garden, remove any dead flowers when they have faded so that your peony does not put energy into producing seeds. Peonies divided in the spring grow very poorly. I haven't had peonies for years, but when I did I never did a thing to them. Always cut at an angle. Jim and Carol Adelman grow 500 varieties of peonies in their 25 acres of fields, and welcome visitors during their blooming season, from … Once the flowers fade, you are left with an attractive shrub with deep-cut leaves. How to Enjoy Cut Peonies without the Ants I did a little searching online this past week when the Peonies were in full bloom because I wanted to bring them inside. You can cut peonies and store them for several weeks, even up to months depending on the variety. As long as a few rules are followed they are easy to grow and once established will live for many years with little attention. I’ve done my research and peonies are supposed to be cut while still in the bud. If you cut them when they have opened up and are already in full bloom, they will not last as long indoors. The blossoms are truly, outrageously gorgeous. Caring for a peony bush in the fall is beneficial to the plant and neatens up the landscape. To ensure you get longevity from your flowers, cut long stems in the morning when the buds are still fairly tight. Peonies make wonderful, long-lasting cut flowers that generally persist for over a week. On the fleshy crown you will see protruding dormant buds (“eyes”) that will be next spring’s red shoots. Cut long stems when the flower buds are still tight. They can be found in a range of soft colours, and a few brighter ones, making them ideal for weddings, as well as for placing in the house. In Iowa, late October or early November is generally a good time to cut back peonies. Cut back peony foliage after it has been destroyed by a hard freeze.