In contrast to the lower perennial peony, the tree peony can reach heights of up to 3 m, sometimes even 5 m. The flowering shrubs can live up to 60 years in a suitable location without transplanting.
How do I cut a tree peony correctly?
Autumn is the recommended time to cut a tree peony. Make the cut directly above an outward-facing bud, remove inward-growing shoots and decide whether a light topiary or a radical cut back to 40-50 cm high is necessary.
The first cut may take place directly after flowering
During each vegetation phase from spring to autumn, the tree peony in the garden goes through a real play of colors: initially the shoots appear with a reddish color before the leaves turn increasingly green. After the eye-catching blossom, the star-shaped fruit capsules form, which gradually become darker and darker until they burst open. Finally, the leaves change color again in autumn before falling off the bush. It is up to you whether you want to intervene in this natural course of the year. If you allow the seeds to form, you can collect them in autumn and enjoy the decorative look of the fruit capsules. You can also carefully remove wilted inflorescences immediately after flowering in order to save the plants a lot of energy in their growth budget for seed formation.
The main cut: timing and cutting technique
You can promote the flowering of your tree peonies if you consciously shape them once a year. The best time for this is autumn, when the leaves on the bushes have already started to fall. You can avoid unsightly branch stumps if you always make the cuts directly above an outward-facing bud on the branch. You can cut out shoots that grow inwards to ensure that the tree peony grows more openly and with better branches.
Don't use secateurs at all or use secateurs particularly radically?
You have different options when cutting the tree peony:
- don't cut at all
- targeted topiary
- radical pruning to a height of around 40 to 50 cm
Older specimens generally tolerate radical pruning relatively well. This may also be necessary to free a tree peony that has been thriving in the location for a long time from an infestation with the dreaded gray mold.
Tip
Tree peonies that have been cut for the vase should have their leaves removed at the bottom and be cut again about every two days. Then the flowers in the vase can show off their most beautiful side for up to ten days.
