With the onset of cold weather they require special care.
Many people don't bother similar works, leaving everything to chance.
But experienced gardeners they know how to prepare for winter and willingly share their knowledge with everyone.
Stop watering and fertilizing
After the flowering period is over, moisture is no longer needed in the same volume as during active flowering. The summer watering norm for peonies is 10-25 liters of water per bush at weekly intervals. With the beginning of autumn, there is no need for such quantities of liquid, and moisture is gradually reduced.
Precisely gradually: even adult flowers, not to mention young ones, have a hard time with immediate rejection. Remember that caring for peonies after flowering is necessary so that in the future they will delight you with bright buds, and not in order to quickly “close the season.”You can apply the following watering scheme: 25 liters, after a week or two already 15-20, and so on until it stops completely.
Important! To achieve maximum quantity blooming buds, fading inflorescences are immediately removed from herbaceous peonies. If they want to get large flowers, then only the upper inflorescences are left.
September and early October - perfect time for entering . 
Peonies themselves are very sensitive to such feeding, and in mid-autumn it is better to strengthen them. The fact is that in the first autumn weeks, when flowering has ended, the roots continue to grow deeper, and adding a new portion nutrients it will be very useful.
For this purpose, potassium-phosphorus solutions are used. 15 g of phosphorus and potassium will be enough for 10 liters of water. The resulting mixture is poured so that it does not fall on the neck of the plant. These same elements can also be added in dry form (they are sold in tablet form). Before such application, the bush is watered abundantly and the crushed tablets are evenly sprinkled into the hole.
Did you know? In China, a special attitude towards peony has developed, where it is still considered a royal plant. It was from the Middle Kingdom that he came to Europe.Peony is one of the main symbols of Chinese culture. The combination of such a flower and a butterfly has long become a classic image in Chinese literature and painting.
Beginner gardeners often have a question: the peonies have faded, and what to do next with them. Everything is simple here: the roots are fed with liquid from (in proportion to water 1/10). 
At this stage, it is not recommended to get carried away with either strong mineral water or water. Complex formulations are also not always useful.
Trimming Features
This is the most important part of preparing for frost. It is undesirable to leave it until early spring - then the pruning shears may simply not “take” the stem that has softened over the winter. The main thing is to catch the right moment. Depending on the region, this could be either the last ten days of October or mid-November. If we take it “by science”, then the preparation of peonies for winter determines best time for the first days after frost. It is important that the soil is dry.
By this time, the shoots will have already fallen to the ground, and such manipulation will not harm the plant. Trim herbaceous peonies as low as possible, without leaving a high stump (2-3 cm is enough). The entire above-ground part (flowers and stems with leaves) is removed. They are then collected and burned.
Important! Peony is readily accepted on almost any type of soil. The only exceptions are “acidic” soils and areas abounding in insects.
For tree lines, the algorithm is slightly different: they try to preserve the ground part.
Some people use cut ones for shelter, but this should not be done - it can be a good place for hibernation and breeding of pests. Leaves lying nearby are also collected and disposed of. 
After such an event, some gardeners apply a combined fertilizer of tree resin and bone meal (60/40%).
Did you know? The ancient Greeks believed that peonies could heal 20 diseases. Therefore, there was not a single monastery in which they did not grow up. Up until the 1800s, such flowers were used only as medicinal plants, some varieties are used as a seasoning for food.
There is no difficulty here, although beginners make mistakes due to inexperience. Here are examples of such “misses” when pruning:
- Early shoot removal. If the autumn turns out to be warm, the stems will grow again and have time to grow just before the frosts. A drop in temperature in such a situation weakens the plant.
- The other extreme would be to delay pruning. So the rhizome can simply rot.
- Leave a small part of the stem much higher than the ground level (3-5 cm). It is a mistake to think that this hardens the perennial. On the contrary, this procedure inhibits growth and flowering in subsequent years.
Situations are different, but you still need to take the time to remove the stems at the dacha, otherwise the last flowering risks being the last. So pruning peonies in the fall is simply necessary. Peony shelter
To protect the rhizome from frost, holes are used. The best materials for "blankets" are and dry. The thickness of the layer depends on weather conditions in a specific area: if for areas with temperate climate 10-12 cm is enough, then for the northern areas you will need 15-20 cm.
In the fall, gardeners often ask questions about pruning and covering plants for the winter, especially flowers. Peonies, like roses, are grown on every plot. This is a perennial frost-resistant flower that tolerates winter well in conditions middle zone. To do this, you just need to prepare the bush and means of shelter in the fall. This will protect the plant from fluctuations in weather conditions, since the period is very dangerous in early spring, when the snow begins to melt and frost unexpectedly returns.
Late in autumn, with the onset of persistent cold weather (early November), when shoots from the first low temperatures will begin to bend towards the ground. The peony bush is pruned, removing all aboveground part. Leave the stumps so that 3-5 cm of shoot length remains above the buds at the base. Early pruning weakens root system and next year, in best case scenario flowering will be sparse.
Cut branches and leaves are removed from the site (burned) so as not to create a refuge for insect pests that were on the plant and those that have recently arrived. Peony leaves cannot be used as a covering material. After pruning, apply fertilizer from a mixture of wood ash (3 parts) and bone meal (2 parts).
Cover peonies for the winter when the temperature drops to -5°C. Dry peat, sawdust or mulch are used as covering material. The layer of cover depends on the region personal plot. On average, the covering layer is 10-15 cm, and in colder northern regions at least 20 cm. Cover the top wooden box, and it is covered with spruce branches. If there is no box, then the spruce branches are tied in the form of a hut and secured to the surface of the earth. In low-lying areas, the mulch is additionally covered with lutrasil or agrofibre, increasing the layer of covering material.
In the southern regions, where there are no sharp temperature changes from -30°C to 0°C in winter and there is snow cover, peonies need not be covered. The characteristics of the flower allow this to be done.
In the spring, immediately after the snow melts, when the ground dries out and the plants can be approached, the cover from the peonies is removed, and the mulch is raked into the rows.
Autumn care for peonies is not at all difficult, and by doing such simple work, you will preserve the plant until spring.
Autumn is not the time for a florist to relax. Plants in a flower garden still require proper care and careful preparation for winter. And it’s not too late to plant some crops! We'll tell you all about the secrets of planting, caring for and propagating peonies in the autumn months.
Peonies, whether herbaceous or tree-like, are a decoration for any area. And not only in spring and summer - even in autumn, after flowering, their decorative carved leaves delight the eye almost until frost. And although these perennials are quite unpretentious, they face an attack winter months give them some attention so that they decorate your site next season.
It is possible to successfully plant peonies in the fall in both September and October, and in regions with a mild climate – even in early November. Oddly enough, this is more difficult to do in the spring, and there is less chance that the plants will take root successfully.
Suitable for planting peony sunny place without drafts with fertile, well-drained soil of neutral acidity. The most bad choice there will be a waterlogged shaded area with heavy soil.
About 2-3 weeks before planting, you can begin to prepare planting holes - this way the soil will have time to settle and the plant will take root better. The holes are dug to a depth of 60-80 cm (peonies have long, fast-growing roots) with intervals of about 1 m between future seedlings. A layer of drainage 10-15 cm thick (coarse sand, gravel, broken brick), and then - a pre-prepared soil mixture of chernozem, peat, sand and humus (in equal parts). Also included in the mixture mandatory add fertilizers - 200-400 g of ash, 20 g of superphosphate, 10 g of urea.
The peony seedling is carefully inspected for damage and traces of rot (all this is removed sharp knife), disinfected for 10-15 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate and dried. Then the seedling is carefully placed in the prepared hole - the roots need to be carefully straightened, and the topmost bud should be placed so that it is 3-4 cm below ground level, and covered with soil. The planted plant must be watered - this will additionally help compact the soil around the seedling.
Before the first winter season, freshly planted peonies must be covered with a thick layer of dry leaves, peat, cardboard or any other covering material.
Reproduction (division) of peonies in autumn
Peonies are exactly the crop that is preferably replanted and propagated in the fall. This plant can exist in one place long years, but every 5-6 years the peony bushes should be divided and replanted to avoid degeneration. Timely division of peonies allows you to rejuvenate the plant and launch it abundant flowering and at the same time get rid of rot and dry roots.
As we have already mentioned, the root system of peonies is powerful and branched, but at the same time quite fragile, so it is unlikely that it will be possible to dig up an old bush without “losses”. In any case, first you need to cut off the entire above-ground part, leaving “stumps” of about 15 cm each. Then experienced flower growers It is advised to carefully dig up the peony at a distance of 25-30 cm from the rhizome, and then use a pitchfork to pull the plant out of the ground, helping yourself by holding on to the cut stems. If the bush does not give in, there is an option to divide it into several parts directly in the ground - using a shovel and hammer.
Fact! A correctly divided and replanted peony will begin to bloom profusely already in the 3rd year after planting, and will be able to please you with single flowers in the next season.
The dug up peonies are shaken off the ground and, first of all, using a sharp knife, they are removed from damaged and diseased parts, rotten or dried roots. Then the fused rhizome is washed under running water, dried in the shade for a couple of hours and the actual division process begins.
You need to end up with divisions with healthy roots up to 20 cm long, a pair of stems and 3-5 renewal buds. First try to separate the common rhizome with your hands; if that doesn’t work, pick up a sharp, disinfected knife. If the plant is too large, then first cut the rhizome into 2-3 parts, and then proceed with the final division.
The cutting areas of the cuttings must be treated before planting so that they remain healthy and take root faster. A weak solution of potassium permanganate is suitable for these purposes, in which pieces of rhizome can be soaked for half an hour, and then the sections can be sprinkled with ash or a mixture of crushed charcoal and sulfur (1:1). You can also use a clay mash (a mixture of water and clay with the consistency of thick sour cream), into which the rhizomes are dipped and then dried. Some add the same ash to this mash, while others advise adding any growth stimulant (30-40 ml per 1 liter of water and 300 g of clay).
Now the peony divisions are ready for planting in a new place according to the scheme described above.
Even if you are not going to plant new peonies this fall or replant existing peonies on the site, this does not mean that you have nothing to do in the flower garden in September-October. Like any plants remaining to overwinter in open ground, peonies will require some effort on your part to successfully survive the winter.
Watering peonies in the fall comes down to the necessary minimum- it is carried out if for a long time The weather is dry. It is advisable to water the plant not in the middle of the bush, but in the depression surrounding it.
Should peonies be fertilized in the fall? Yes, this procedure is necessary - the roots of perennials continue to grow in the pre-winter months, simultaneously accumulating nutrients, necessary for the plant in order to successfully survive the winter and germinate in the spring.
In the fall, peony bushes are fed with a potassium-phosphorus mixture, which not only nourishes them, but also promotes the formation of buds, which is the key to beautiful flowering next season.
Feeding peonies in the fall is carried out both in dry and liquid form. If you choose the first option, then after abundant watering, simply pour about 30 g of a mixture under each bush, where potassium and phosphorus will be in equal proportions. When fertilizing with a solution of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, it is important to water the plants so that the liquid does not fall on the leaves, which can cause burns.
Should peonies be pruned in the fall? Of course - if you leave the plants to overwinter in the form tall bushes, above-ground stems will rot over the winter and become a source of infection. Pruning will allow peonies to rest after flowering, fully prepare for the cold and successfully overwinter.
IN autumn pruning both young and adult peonies need. After the first frost, trim the stems and leaves flush with the ground so that the remaining stumps are no more than a couple of centimeters in height. It is better to burn the cut stems so that they do not become a source of infection in the area, and sprinkle the cuts with ash at the rate of 2-3 handfuls per bush.
Before the snow falls on the ground, mulch the peony plantings with an 8-10 cm layer of compost or low-lying peat and leave it in this state until spring. In spring, mulch from peat or humus does not need to be removed - it will become a good fertilizer.
As you can see, peonies will not require much effort from you to care for them in the fall, although, of course, you will have to do something in the flower garden. And these small efforts are worth it. Believe me, peonies that have wintered comfortably and are full of energy will certainly delight you next season. healthy looking and lush flowering.
Autumn is no less important than summer when caring for peonies. These flowers are considered winter-hardy, but many new varieties are coming on sale, imported from countries with a warmer climate than in Russia. They are thermophilic and need special measures to help them survive severe frosts.
When to prepare peonies for winter
Usually, before or after flowering, plants receive a lot of attention. They are fed, watered, the soil is loosened, weeds and faded buds are removed.
In the fall you will need:
- one feeding;
- moisture-recharging irrigation;
- pruning;
- mulching.
Works in August
In the last month of summer, it is too early to prepare peonies for winter. At this time, they are divided and transplanted to a new place. Until mid-August, plants form buds on next year. In the second half of the month they can be replanted.
Old bushes are more susceptible to freezing than young ones, so you should not postpone replanting for many years. The bush blooms 3-4 years after planting. In one place it can bloom for up to 50 years, but it is better to dig it up and divide it at the maximum age of ten. This will enhance flowering, improve the health of the plant, and make it more winter-hardy.
In August, the first (cosmetic) pruning is carried out - yellowed leaves and dried buds are removed. At this time, it is still impossible to cut the stems at the root, so as not to interfere with the plant’s preparation for winter.
Autumn work on preparing peonies for winter
October-November is a good time to prepare peonies for winter. The most important autumn event is pruning.
The bushes are cut off completely, down to the last stem. Both young and adult specimens need this. Knowledgeable gardeners immediately generously sprinkle the cuttings with ash - this is at the same time a potassium supplement for the winter, disinfection and a set of useful microelements.
If there is no ash, in September the still green bushes are watered with a solution of any potash fertilizer, diluting it according to the instructions on the package. Potassium increases winter hardiness.
There are different opinions on how low the stems should be cut during spring pruning. Some recommend burying the pruning shears into the soil so that no traces of the bush remain on its surface. Other gardeners advise to be sure to leave stumps a few centimeters high.
Both methods have a right to exist. It’s more convenient to leave the stumps. In this case, during the autumn digging of the garden, there is no risk of forgetting where the bush grew. It is better to leave parts of the stems on the surface for those who cover their peonies for the winter - this will make it easier to detect the plants when the soil freezes and the time comes to sprinkle the rhizomes with insulation.
The method of covering peonies depends on where on the site they are located. It is easier for plants to overwinter between trees or near a fence - there is a lot of snow there. But if the bushes are planted on a hill blown by the winds, they will have to be additionally insulated.
Sheltering peonies for the winter:
- Rake out some soil with your hand and see how deep the growing points are.
- If they are no deeper than 4-6 cm from the surface, the top of the peony should be sprinkled with dry soil, peat or compost.
- The thickness of the additional layer should be 10-15 cm. In this case, the peonies will not freeze in winter, even if the frost is very severe.
Tree peonies overwinter well under shelters made of spruce branches or agrofibre, folded in two layers.
Peonies, like all perennials, require careful care. Especially when it comes to autumn, the time when all plants prepare for winter. Let's talk about how to preserve peonies so that they continue to delight the eye with friendly flowering. We'll tell you what care is needed for peonies in the fall, and how to prepare for the winter of these beautiful plants.
So that peonies can safely overwinter, be sure to feed them with nutrients in the fall. At this time, the plant’s root system is actively developing. If fertilizers fall into the soil in early October or September, the thickened parts of the root system will be able to accumulate a sufficient amount necessary elements, and then feed the roots with them to their very tips. Therefore, preparing peonies for winter begins with mandatory feeding.
How to fertilize
You can prepare a complex fertilizer for peonies in the fall yourself or purchase it at a specialty store. Fertilizers that contain phosphorus and potassium are best suited for flowers. It is necessary for good growth and active development of plant buds. After proper feeding the plant is provided with lush and bright bloom next summer.
You can use dry fertilizer in the form of granules. Potassium and phosphorus are carefully poured under the peony bushes. The first element will require 15 grams, the second - 20. Plants need to be watered moderately if there has been no rain for a long time. Dry fertilizers are harmful if they accidentally fall on the trunk.
You can dilute the fertilizer in a bucket of water; in the solution, the fertilizer penetrates even faster deep into the soil and to the root system. Liquid and dry fertilizing must be carried out separately, with a break between them. Excess nutrients can negatively affect the flowering of the plant.
Organic feeding of peonies
Peonies for the winter can also be fed with mullein solution with the addition of mineral fertilizers. For five buckets of water, take a bucket of mullein. To dilute the bucket bird droppings, you will need 25 buckets of water. The solution must be left in the sun for at least two weeks to allow it to ferment.
Then you need to add superphosphate and wood ash to the fertilizer barrel. The fertilizer is mixed. Before watering peony bushes with fertilizer, the fertilizer must be diluted with water (mullein solution twice), three times (bird droppings solution).
Pruning peonies in autumn
Pruning peony bushes is a mandatory procedure for autumn; you should not put it off until spring. Pruning work is carried out in early November, when the first frosts have already begun. It is not recommended to prune in August-September, otherwise the flowering of the plant will be disrupted.
The shoots of the bush are cut almost to the ground; no stumps should remain. Cut branches are burned. After pruning, the soil needs to be cultivated wood ash by mixing it with bone meal.
How to cover peonies for the winter
After these activities, you need to think about covering the peonies for the winter. This is important in the Moscow region, and especially if peonies are grown in areas with frosty winters.
It is necessary to assess how deep the buds lie. If they are located above 3-6 centimeters, then the peonies are covered with soil on top. If the buds are deep, then covering with earth is not required.
Peonies can be covered with sawdust or fallen leaves, peat or spruce branches. It’s just not recommended to use the leaves of the bush itself; they can become an ideal environment for infections to live and multiply.
The protective layer should be about 15 centimeters. This is enough so that frosts and strong winds are not scary for peonies.
Autumn work on replanting peonies
Autumn work includes not only covering peonies for the winter, pruning and fertilizing. Autumn is the best time to transplant peonies to a new location, although some gardeners carry out this activity in both spring and summer.
It’s better to stop in the fall, when the heat has already subsided. U autumn transplant has its advantages. Moderate watering will help quickly develop a strong root system. And next year the bush will delight you with lush flowering.
Rules for transplanting peonies
For transplantation, choose a day without rain and sun. Be sure to prune the bush before replanting. The remaining shoots should be no more than 20 cm in height. The bush is dug out carefully; it is better to do it with a pitchfork so as not to touch the roots. It is better to place the pitchfork away from the trunk so as not to damage the young shoots.
Having dug up the bush, you need to lightly shake it off any clods of soil. You shouldn’t hit the bush against anything or shake it too much; it’s better to do it with your hands. After this, you need to inspect the root system. If there are damaged and rotten roots, they are removed. Then the roots are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.
The dug up and treated bush is left in the shade for a couple of hours. During this time, the plant's roots will become elastic. Then the bush is placed in a new, pre-prepared hole, carefully straightening the roots, and covered with soil. After transplanting, peonies are covered for the winter according to the same scheme as given above.
Experienced flower growers recommend cutting flowers that appear in the first year after transplantation immediately, without leaving them on the bush. This way the plant will get stronger faster, and the next year it will bloom in all its glory.
Peony does not bloom after transplantation: what to do?
Reasons why peonies stop blooming after transplantation:
- The plant does not have enough sun.
- The plant is planted too deep in the hole.
- Planting without drainage, excess groundwater leads to rotting of the roots.
- Do not divide the root into small parts. Otherwise, the plant will take a long time to get stronger.
- Lack of nutrients, requires feeding.
- It is not recommended to replant the plant too often, weakening it. It is better to do this once every six years.