Peonies are a favorite among gardeners, known for their stunning, full blooms and their ability to come back year after year with little fuss.
But if you want your peonies to truly thrive, especially in colder climates, knowing how to properly overwinter them is key.
I’ve grown peonies for years, and I’ve learned through trial and error what works best to help these beautiful plants make it through the winter.
With just a few simple steps in the fall, you can ensure your peonies are well-prepared to survive the colder months and emerge healthier than ever when spring rolls around.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about overwintering peonies, from preparing the plant in the fall to ensuring it stays protected throughout the winter.
Understand Your Peony Type
The first step in overwintering peonies is understanding which type of peony you have.
There are three main types of peonies: herbaceous peonies, tree peonies, and intersectional (or Itoh) peonies.
Each type has slightly different overwintering needs, so it’s important to know which one is in your garden.
Herbaceous peonies are the most common.
They die back to the ground in the fall and re-emerge in the spring.
These are the ones that require the most attention for overwintering, as their foliage completely disappears during dormancy.
Tree peonies, on the other hand, keep their woody stems throughout the winter and only drop their leaves.
These peonies require less pruning and don’t need to be cut to the ground in the fall.
Intersectional peonies are a hybrid between herbaceous and tree peonies, and they tend to be a bit more cold-hardy.
They die back like herbaceous peonies but have stronger stems and bigger flowers, making them a garden favorite.
Knowing your peony type will help you determine the best course of action for overwintering them successfully.
Prune Back Herbaceous Peonies in the Fall
One of the most important tasks for overwintering herbaceous and intersectional peonies is cutting back the foliage in the fall.
By late September or early October, the leaves will begin to yellow and die back as the plant prepares for dormancy.
This is your signal to prune the plant.
I’ve learned that waiting until the foliage is mostly yellow or brown is key.
If you prune too early, while the leaves are still green, you might cut off the plant’s ability to store energy for the next season.
But if you wait too long, you risk leaving diseased or pest-ridden foliage around your plant through the winter.
Using sharp, clean pruning shears, cut back the stems of herbaceous peonies to about 2-3 inches above the ground.
Make sure to remove all of the dead leaves and stems—this helps prevent fungal diseases from overwintering in your garden.
I’ve made the mistake in the past of leaving a little too much foliage behind, and I paid for it the following spring when botrytis blight showed up on the new growth.
Always discard the pruned material rather than composting it, especially if there’s any sign of disease.
This simple step helps keep your garden healthy and ready for the next growing season.
Don’t Prune Tree Peonies—Just Clean Them Up
If you have tree peonies, the overwintering process is a little different.
Unlike herbaceous peonies, tree peonies do not need to be cut to the ground.
They have woody stems that stay above the soil during the winter and help protect the plant.
I’ve found that tree peonies benefit from a light cleanup in the fall.
Instead of cutting them back, simply remove any dead or damaged leaves, and trim away any weak or crossing branches.
It’s important not to prune too heavily, as tree peonies bloom on old wood, meaning they set their buds for next year’s blooms during the previous growing season.
If you cut too much, you could end up with fewer flowers in the spring.
One fall, I pruned my tree peony too aggressively, thinking I was doing it a favor by shaping it for winter.
The following spring, I was disappointed to see very few blooms.
That taught me to be gentle with these beauties—just a light cleanup is all they need.
Mulch for Winter Protection
One of the best ways to help your peonies survive the winter is to apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant.
Mulch acts as insulation, keeping the soil temperature more stable and protecting the roots from freeze-thaw cycles, which can be damaging.
I usually apply mulch in late fall, after I’ve pruned back my herbaceous peonies but before the first hard frost.
A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, like straw, pine needles, or shredded leaves, works well.
Be careful not to pile the mulch directly on top of the crown of the plant, as this can lead to rot.
Instead, spread it around the base, leaving a little space around the stems to allow air circulation.
In colder climates, a good layer of mulch can make all the difference in whether your peonies come back strong in the spring.
I’ve had years where I forgot to mulch properly, and my plants didn’t fare as well through the winter.
Now, mulching is a non-negotiable part of my fall garden routine.
Water Before the Ground Freezes
Peonies don’t need a lot of water in the fall, especially as they start to go dormant.
However, it’s important to give them a deep watering before the ground freezes, particularly if you’ve had a dry end to the summer.
I typically water my peonies deeply in late September or early October, making sure the soil is well-hydrated going into winter.
This helps the roots store moisture and nutrients for the dormant period, reducing the risk of dehydration during the cold months.
Once the ground freezes, you can stop watering completely.
Peonies prefer a dry dormancy, and soggy soil in the winter can lead to root rot.
In my garden, I’ve noticed that plants with a good fall watering seem to come back stronger in the spring, so it’s worth taking the time to get this step right.
Protect the Buds
Peonies form their buds, or “eyes,” near the soil surface in the fall, and these are where next year’s growth will come from.
In colder climates, these buds can be vulnerable to winter damage if not properly protected.
To protect the buds, I make sure the mulch I apply in late fall covers the root zone thoroughly.
For herbaceous peonies, this mulch layer will help insulate the buds, keeping them safe from frost heaving, which can expose them to freezing temperatures.
If you live in an area with particularly harsh winters, you may want to add an extra layer of protection by covering the mulched area with a burlap sack or frost cloth.
I’ve done this in years when we’ve had severe cold spells, and it gave me peace of mind knowing my peonies were well-protected.
For tree peonies, which have buds higher up on the stems, you might consider wrapping the plant loosely in burlap to shield the buds from harsh winter winds.
Just be sure not to wrap too tightly—you want to allow air circulation to prevent moisture buildup and rot.
Avoid Fertilizing in Fall
One mistake I made early in my gardening years was fertilizing my peonies in the fall, thinking I was giving them a boost before winter.
I soon learned that fertilizing peonies in the fall can actually encourage new growth at a time when the plant should be preparing for dormancy.
Instead, peonies should be fertilized in the spring, when they’re coming out of dormancy and actively growing.
In the fall, your goal is to let the plant gradually slow down and store energy in its roots for the winter.
If you feel your soil needs a little improvement, consider adding a light layer of compost or well-rotted manure around the base of the plant, but avoid heavy feeding at this time of year.
Keep an Eye on Winter Pests
While peonies are generally low-maintenance during the winter, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out for any potential pests that could cause damage.
In my garden, I’ve had occasional problems with voles, which like to burrow under the mulch and nibble on the roots during the winter.
To prevent this, I make sure the mulch around my peonies isn’t too thick and doesn’t provide too cozy a hiding spot for rodents.
I’ve also found that placing a wire mesh or hardware cloth around the base of the plant can help keep pests like voles and mice from digging into the root zone.
In milder climates, keep an eye out for slugs and snails, which can sometimes become active during warm winter spells.
If you notice any damage to your peonies, you may need to take steps to control these pests, such as using slug traps or organic deterrents.
What to Do in Mild Winters
If you live in an area where winters are mild and frost is rare, your overwintering process will be a little different.
Peonies still need a period of cold to bloom well, but they won’t need as much protection from freezing temperatures.
In these climates, I still recommend cutting back herbaceous peonies and applying a light layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
However, you won’t need to worry as much about insulating the roots from deep freezes.
If you’re in a warmer zone where winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, consider chilling peony roots in a refrigerator for several weeks to simulate winter dormancy.
This method can help peonies bloom more reliably in areas where the natural cold period isn’t long enough.
Plan for Spring Success
Everything you do in the fall to overwinter your peonies is setting the stage for success in the spring.
By cutting back, mulching, and protecting your plants from harsh winter conditions, you’re helping them store the energy they need to bloom beautifully next season.
In my own garden, I’ve found that peonies respond incredibly well to this routine.
When the first shoots emerge in the spring, it’s always rewarding to see the plants coming back strong and ready to put on another stunning display.
Final Thoughts
Overwintering peonies isn’t difficult, but it does require a little attention to detail in the fall.
By pruning, mulching, watering, and protecting the buds, you can ensure your peonies survive the winter and thrive in the spring.
From my years of experience, I can confidently say that the extra care you put in now will be well worth it when your garden is filled with healthy, blooming peonies once again.
Happy gardening!