How to Cut Back Peonies?

Wait until the foliage has turned yellow or brown in fall

Use clean, sharp pruning shears

Cut herbaceous peonies down to 1 to 2 inches above the soil

Remove all cut stems and leaves from the area

Dispose of diseased foliage in the trash, not compost

For tree peonies, only remove dead, damaged, or crossing stems

For intersectional peonies, cut back to just above the ground in fall

Avoid cutting back healthy green foliage during the growing season

Clean and disinfect tools after pruning