Green Fingers guide to maintaining peony plants during Summer

Green Fingers
Dec 19, 2022
2 min read

Once your peony plants have finished flowering, it's important to continue caring for them to ensure they remain healthy and produce beautiful blooms next season. Here are the Green Fingers top tips to help you maintain your peony plants after flowering in New Zealand.

#1: Deadhead spent flowers

After your peony plants have finished flowering, it's important to remove any spent flowers from the plants to prevent seed formation. This is called deadheading, and it will help to redirect the plant's energy towards forming new roots and leaves rather than producing seeds. It will also keep your plants looking tidy and prevent unsightly seedpods from forming.

#2: Fertilise for healthy growth

To help your peony plants grow strong and healthy, consider fertilising them with a fertiliser that is high in phosphorus and potassium. These nutrients are essential for healthy root and leaf development. Some gardeners also recommend using a foliar fertiliser such as Green Fingers Peony, which is applied directly to the leaves of the plant, to deliver nutrients quickly and help the plants recover from any stress or damage. Foliar fertilisers can be the best fertiliser to use during times of drought or heavy rain to quickly get some nutrients to your plant

#3: Water regularly to prevent drought stress

It's important to water your peony plants regularly to keep the soil evenly moist. Avoid overwatering, however, as this can lead to root rot and other problems. Be sure to check the soil moisture level frequently and water as needed, especially during hot, dry weather. Drought stress can cause your peony plants to wilt and become unhealthy, so be sure to keep an eye on the soil moisture and water as needed.

#4: Cut back stems to tidy up plants

As the leaves of your Peonies start to yellow and die back, consider cutting back the stems of your plants to tidy up the plants and prevent them from becoming too overgrown. Be sure to leave a few inches of stem above the soil level to allow for new growth next season. This will help to keep your peony plants looking neat and tidy and encourage healthy growth.