All exotic animals would not survive the winter in this country. What about the peony, which with its voluminous flowers looks as if it came from the tropics? Can it tolerate frost?
Are peonies hardy and how do you protect them in winter?
Peonies are hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -15 °C. For optimal protection, perennial peonies should be cut back in autumn and young plants or those in rough locations should be covered with brushwood, fir branches, spruce branches or leaves.
Peonies are hardy
Both perennial peonies and the majority of shrub peonies are hardy in our Central European latitudes. They can easily tolerate frost down to -15 °C. If the temperatures continue to drop, things can start to get tight and winter protection is recommended.
Prune before winter
Before winter sets in, you should prepare your peonies for the frosty season. This includes cutting:
- cut in October/November
- Cut down perennial peonies completely
- Shrub peonies should be cleaned if necessary (up to the first bud)
Suitable protective material for peonies
Peonies that were recently planted should be protected during the winter. Even those who are in rough situations. The following materials (in the root area) are suitable for protecting plants from severe frost:
- brushwood
- Fir branches
- Spruce branches
- Leaves
Additional protection for shrub peonies
Shrub peonies, if they are large, should also be tied together in the crown area. This prevents the shoots from breaking due to a load of snow. The shoots can also be covered with a jute bag.
Get peonies in the pot through the winter unscathed
If you have planted your peony in a pot, it also makes sense to protect the plant in the winter. Otherwise there is a risk that the roots will freeze and the plant will die.
The bucket is placed on a protective house wall such as the balcony wall or a wall in late autumn. The plant is covered with brushwood over the root area. In severe frost, the entire bucket should be covered with fleece (€34.00 on Amazon) or jute.
Remove winter protection in good time
What many gardeners don't think about: Winter protection should be removed quickly in spring. This should be done before the peony sprouts. Otherwise, the flower may not bloom or the peony may not sprout at all due to the thick protective layer through which it would first have to fight.
Tip
In particularly harsh winter times with temperatures around and below -20 °C, shoots of shrub peonies can freeze back. You should cut these back in spring.
