Groovy Facts About Deadheading Peonies
Revitalizing Peonies: The Art of Deadheading for Continuous Blossoms
Step aside, dahlias and Shasta daisies, there's a new flower game in town: peonies! But, should you deadhead peonies to get more blooms? Not exactly, but it's highly beneficial in other ways. And we've got some juicy insights to back it up.
So, Why Deadhead?
You might have been deadheading all your other flowers to encourage another round of blooms, but that's not the case with peonies. They won't be putting forth more flowers this year with deadheading, but they'll thrive in the long run.
So here's why you should give your peonies a trim:
- Staying Fly: Deadheading keeps peonies looking fresh and fly. Once the bloom starts to lose its luster, the flowers start shedding their petals. It's not cute, especially in the garden. A little trim improves the appearance of your plant.
- Prevent the Seeds: It's no secret that peonies are grown for their blooms, not seeds. If you're not planning to sow those seeds, there's no point in letting the plant invest all that energy in creating them. Deadheading diverts the plant's energy into stronger root and shoot growth for a healthier, bigger plant and potentially more flowers next year.
- Staying Healthy: Peonies are susceptible to some fungal diseases that can hang out in old plant material over winter. By removing spent flowers, you reduce the chances of plant diseases.
Let's Get to the Basics
If you've been admiring those peony blooms indoors, congrats, you've already deadheaded them! But, if you'd rather enjoy them in the garden, you'll want to deadhead them when they start looking less than fantastic.
Snip off the faded bloom and stem where a leaf is growing, and hide the old stem by taking off one or two leaf nodes. Remember, a quick snip every once or twice a week while the peonies are in full bloom is more than enough!
Deadheading 101 FAQs
How can I get more peony blooms? Here's a secret: individual peony plants only bloom once a year. However, you can get a continuous supply of flowers by planting a mix of early, mid, and late-season peonies.
Should I deadhead tree peonies? Absolutely! While they have woody stems, tree peonies benefit from deadheading just like their herbaceous colleagues. They'll be looking tidy and healthy in no time!
- Caring for your yard can be a delightful endeavor, and tending to your perennials includes the practice of garden care, such as deadheading peonies.
- If you're a fan of flowers and browsing through home-and-garden or lifestyle magazines like Bhg, you might have come across articles on the importance of deadheading in the gardening world.
- After deadheading your peonies, watch them flourish with benefits such as improved appearance, prevention of seed production, and reduced risk of plant diseases.
- To ensure a continuous supply of peony blooms, consider planting a variety of perennials with different blooming seasons, such as early, mid, and late-season peonies.
