Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Deadhead Peonies

...
Peony image by Konstantin Stepanov from Fotolia.com

Deadheading is an often overlooked but beneficial pruning technique. Through this method, certain flowers can be encouraged to bloom for twice as long as they normally would. Unfortunately, new blooms don't proliferate on deadheaded peonies the way they do on other flowering perennials. But varieties that produce multiple buds per stem may be coaxed into producing a few more, larger blooms than they normally would.

Spray your pruning shears with disinfectant before you begin to prevent the spread of disease or fungal infection.

Inspect your peonies for faded flowers that are ready to be deadheaded. A flower is ready for deadheading once it is wilted and drooping.

  • Deadheading is an often overlooked but beneficial pruning technique.
  • But varieties that produce multiple buds per stem may be coaxed into producing a few more, larger blooms than they normally would.

Grasp the spent flower with one hand to expose the stem on which it is growing. Before you cut, carefully examine the stem for any flower buds that may be small enough to overlook.

Use your pruning shears to cut the peony just above the leaf that is right below the blossom. Take care not to cut off any new buds.

Deadhead the rest of the plant's spent blooms as soon as you see them until the peony has stopped flowering.

Deadhead Peonies?

grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 8, are classic, gorgeous perennial flowers that are beloved for their soft, sumptuous blooms that add a splash of color to any home garden or landscape. Repeat this process and remove all dead or drooping flowers. When you’re deadheading your peonies, always cut to a strong leaf so the stem doesn’t stick out of the foliage. Get in the habit of evaluating your garden as frequently as possible (ideally every day) to determine if you have any deadheading needs and to ensure that your peonies are producing enough blooms. Many gardeners report that the process of deadheading is meditative, calming and downright therapeutic. Make sure that your peonies have enough sunlight; these plants thrive in full-sun locations.

  • Grasp the spent flower with one hand to expose the stem on which it is growing.
  • Use your pruning shears to cut the peony just above the leaf that is right below the blossom.

Tip

While deadheading may not produce prolific flowering, it makes the peony look more attractive and prevents it from setting seed.

Related Articles

How to Deadhead Hydrangeas
How to Deadhead Hydrangeas
How to Deadhead Dianthus Flowers
How to Deadhead Dianthus Flowers
How to Care for Fernleaf Peonies
How to Care for Fernleaf Peonies
How to Prune a Tree Peony
How to Prune a Tree Peony
How to Prune Columbine
How to Prune Columbine
How to Deadhead Carnations
How to Deadhead Carnations
How to Deadhead Hostas
How to Deadhead Hostas
Long-stem Rose vs. Short-stem
Long-stem Rose vs. Short-stem
How to Deadhead Pansies
How to Deadhead Pansies
Should I Prune the Dead Flowers From My Butterfly Bush?
Should I Prune the Dead Flowers From My Butterfly Bush?
How to Deadhead Foxgloves
How to Deadhead Foxgloves
How to Prune Argyranthemum Frutescens
How to Prune Argyranthemum Frutescens
When to Prune Shasta Daisies
When to Prune Shasta Daisies
How to Deadhead Kalanchoe
How to Deadhead Kalanchoe
How to Prune Shasta Daisy
How to Prune Shasta Daisy
Garden Guides
×