Deadheading is the practice of removing spent blooms from a plant. For peonies, a popular perennial known for its spectacular, though short-lived, spring display, deadheading does not encourage a second flush of blooms later in the season. However, removing the faded flowers is generally recommended for the health and appearance of the plant, especially for the commonly grown herbaceous types. This simple task shifts the plant’s focus from reproduction back to energy storage, which directly impacts next year’s flowering.
The Immediate Goal of Deadheading Peonies
Deadheading is primarily performed to prevent the peony from producing seeds after the petals drop. If left on the stem, the plant will divert significant energy and nutrients toward developing a seed pod, straining the root system. Removing the spent bloom allows the plant to redirect that energy back to the underground crown and roots, where it is stored for the following year’s flowering. The removal of the old flowers also provides a major benefit for garden sanitation and disease control. Peony petals tend to hold moisture and create a perfect environment for fungal diseases like botrytis, so quickly snipping off the decaying heads eliminates this potential source of infection and prevents pathogens from spreading to the healthy foliage below.
Proper Technique for Removing Spent Blooms
The process of removing the spent flower requires making a specific cut. Use a clean, sharp pair of hand pruners to make a precise cut on the flower stem. For herbaceous peonies, the cut should be made just above the first strong, healthy set of leaves below the faded flower head. The goal is to remove the flower and a short portion of the stalk without removing too much foliage, as these leaves are needed for photosynthesis throughout the summer. For tree peonies, which have a woody structure, simply snip the spent flower head off above any developing side bud or leaf, leaving the small woody stem intact for future growth.
Essential Care After Flowering
The foliage that remains after deadheading plays a far more important role than the flowers in the plant’s seasonal cycle, and must be left completely intact through the summer and fall until killed back by frost. These leaves are the plant’s energy factories, converting sunlight into carbohydrates that are stored in the roots to fuel the next spring’s growth. Cutting the foliage back prematurely, such as in mid-summer, severely depletes the plant’s reserves, often resulting in few or no blooms the following year. Continue to provide water during extended dry periods throughout the summer. In the late fall, after the leaves have turned yellow or brown due to a hard frost, the entire herbaceous plant can be cut back to just an inch or two above the ground to remove old, potentially disease-carrying material before winter.