Pruning herbaceous peony
Advice for October in the Netherlands
A herbaceous peony is not a tree peony. Retain green foliage after flowering and clear dead stems in autumn to reduce disease carry-over. Months are a guide for the Netherlands and Belgium; follow actual growth and flowering.
Herbaceous peony — October
Check this first
Once foliage has died in October or November, cut stems at ground level. Collect affected fallen leaves too; this helps reduce the risk of peony wilt.
Pay attention to this
- Check that this is Paeonia lactiflora, not a woody tree peony.
- Wait for healthy foliage to die naturally.
- Do not cut into red growth buds at or just below soil level.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a herbaceous peony need hard pruning in March?
- The usual tidy-up is after autumn dieback. If old remains were left, remove them carefully before new shoots become large.
- Why keep the leaves after the flowers?
- Green leaves continue feeding the plant. Removing only faded flowers avoids sacrificing foliage merely for neatness.
- Can I do this to a tree peony?
- No. A tree peony retains a woody framework; the low autumn cut on this page applies to Paeonia lactiflora.