Grant WebsterKey PointsDeadheading peonies does not immediately lead to more flowers in the current season but benefits the plant in the long run. Removing spent peony flowers can enhance the plant’s appearance, promote root and stem growth, and reduce fungal diseases. Trim faded peony flowers using clean snips once or twice a week during the blooming season.Peonies bloom magnificently in late spring and early summer. However, after the flowers fade, should you deadhead peonies like other flowers to stimulate further blooms? The answer is yes, albeit not for the reasons you may expect. Discover the benefits of deadheading peonies and learn how and when to do it correctly with these guidelines.Related: 6 Intriguing Facts About Peony Flowers Why Deadhead Most FlowersPopular flowering plants like dahlias, Shasta daisies, petunias, geraniums, and zinnias are deadheaded to promote more blooms. Removing spent flowers interrupts the plant’s reproductive cycle. Flowers mark the start of a plant’s reproduction process. After successful pollination, the plant redirects its energy from the bloom (which has fulfilled its purpose) to seed production. Removing fading flowers prevents the plant from focusing on seed formation, prompting it to produce new blooms.Benefits of Deadheading PeoniesDeadheading peonies does not lead to more blooms in the current year, regardless of whether you interrupt seed formation by removing spent flowers. Instead, deadheading peonies primarily improves aesthetics, prevents disease, and encourages the plant to direct its energy towards root and stem growth. Maintain Appealing PeoniesDeadheading peonies preserves their visual appeal. As peony blossoms age, they naturally shed their petals. If you have displayed a peony bouquet indoors, you have likely observed this shedding of petals. Outdoors, especially after rain, the remaining disheveled flowers detract from the plant’s appearance. Trimming them enhances the overall look of the plant.Prevent Seed ProductionAnother critical reason for deadheading peonies is to prevent seed development. Peonies are not commonly propagated from seeds, and if you have no intention of saving the seeds, there is little reason to allow the plant to invest energy in seed production. Deadheading eliminates this drain on the plant, enabling it to focus on root and shoot growth throughout the summer for increased plant size and potentially more flowers the following year.Reduce Plant DiseasesAn often overlooked benefit of deadheading peonies is garden hygiene. Peonies are vulnerable to various fungal diseases, which can overwinter in old plant material left on the ground. This underscores the significance of cutting back dead peony foliage and stems and disposing of them in autumn. Removing spent flowers eliminates another potential source of issues.How and When to Deadhead PeoniesIf you gathered all your peony blooms for an enchanting bouquet at home, you have already deadheaded the plant. However, if you have left blooms on the plant
During the middle of summer, it’s easy to overlook the fading blooms of your peony plants. If you happen to forget, simply trim off the wilted flowers when you remember. Grab some sanitized snips and head out to your peony plants. Locate the stem and cut it at a node where a leaf is growing, trimming one or two nodes down to conceal the old stem. Dispose of the collected dead blooms. Deadheading your peonies once or twice a week while they are in bloom is sufficient.
FAQs:
– How can I encourage more blooms on my peonies?
While each individual peony plant blooms once a year, planting a mix of early, mid-season, and late-season varieties can ensure a continuous display of fragrant flowers for weeks.
– Should I deadhead my tree peonies?
Tree peonies, with their woody stems that do not completely die back each fall, benefit from deadheading for aesthetics and to redirect the plant’s energy, similar to herbaceous peonies.
For more information, refer to the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.
