Can We Prune Our Mature Tree Peony?
A tree peony (Paeonia) can be pruned though most don’t need too much pruning to be done annually. Unless it has been neglected for a while. This deciduous shrub can also be trained against a wall, much like ours is, to feature its beautiful large flowers and shelter it from strong winds. Follow below on how to prune a tree peony and tips on winter pruning and reshaping. And the special steps taken in training and pruning our tree peony.
Every spring, we enjoy a plethora of stunning large blossoms from our tree peony. It is over 5 feet tall and just as wide. It faces east in a sheltered, sunny location, and reaches just above the window sill to be enjoyed from inside the house. However, our beautiful tree peony was in desperate need of winter pruning and a little extra maintenance to get it back into shape before the next flowering season. The goal was to improve the form by removing some of the congested growth and overcrowding, reshaping to encourage a more open, vase-shaped habit, and redoing the support ties. Also to keep some height for viewing from inside.
How And When To Prune A Tree Peony
Generally, tree peonies need very little pruning and are considered low maintenance. Unlike herbaceous or bush peonies, tree peonies are not cut back to the ground. However, light annual pruning helps keep a tidy habit and a healthy plant.
In summer or fall, well after the flowers have gone, trim out any remaining faded flowers, if not already done. The tree peony will lose its leaves and go dormant by late autumn. Leave any dead shoots to be pruned just before spring.
At the end of winter, begin by removing any deadwood pieces. It is not uncommon for a stem to die off even though it was full of leaves and flowers the year before. This is normal with tree peonies, and there is nothing to worry about. Just prune the deadwood above any new buds. There will likely be a few buds that are dead. Where you find a dead bud, follow down the stem to a live bud and trim, cutting at a slant, about 1/2 cm above the live bud (see photo example below).
To limit the height of your tree peony, prune about half of last season’s growth on the tallest stems. Cut above a healthy bud of an outward-facing side stem.
Look at all the stems and repeat where needed. When completed, the effect will be a more open plant with good air circulation and new live buds at the end of the stems. Apply this low maintenance pruning every year, and you will not need to do the hard pruning that we needed to apply to our mature tree peony.
You need a pair of clean, sharp pruners. And remember to always sterilize them by rubbing the blades with ethanol or isopropyl alcohol between uses to prevent disease from spreading from one plant to another.
Pruning A Neglected Tree Peony
Tree Peonies Respond Well To Pruning!
With confidence, the tree peony now sits well to regain its prominence in the garden and give us another season of beautiful flowers. I am now ready to take on those pruning shears myself – though, as we said, tree peonies generally require minimal pruning once shaped well. Tree peonies respond well to pruning, so don’t be scared. If your large tree peony is looking a little shaggy, plan your winter pruning and reshaping with confidence!
