What to Do With Peonies in June After They're Done Blooming – 6 Simple Tasks You Need to Do Now for Big Blooms Next Year
It's always sad when peonies are done producing flowers for the season, but what you do now will set up plants for huge blooms next spring. Here's what to do.
Mid to late June, depending on where you live and garden, is a bittersweet time for peonies. The gorgeous, cloud-like blooms are fading, and the spectacular show is just about over until next year. Peonies flower brilliantly, but the show is short-lived.
June peony care after the flowers have faded may be bittersweet for gardeners, but it’s so important. The care you give your plants now will ensure they gather enough energy and stay healthy enough for an even bigger and better show next year.
These are essential June tasks you need to do to your peonies after flowering to set them up for big blooms again next year.
1. Deadhead Spent Blooms
There are a few good reasons to snip off those faded flowers by the end of June. The most obvious is that your plants and beds will look tidier when you deadhead peonies, but there’s more. By leaving large, decaying flowers on your plants, you put them at greater risk of developing and spreading fungal diseases.
The final reason for deadheading peonies now is to encourage the plants to put more energy into roots and foliage rather than seeds. This ensures they’ll be healthier, bigger, and stronger for next year’s bloom period.
To deadhead plants, start with a sharp pair of shears or these handy thumb knives from Amazon. Disinfect the blades with rubbing alcohol or disinfecting wipes. Snip just under the flower head and above the first set of healthy leaves.
2. Leave the Leaves
This is an anti-task for June. It can be tempting to prune peonies once the flower show is over, but don’t do it now. The plants use leaves all summer to gather energy through photosynthesis. That energy gets stored in the roots and will be used next season to produce more blooms.
Leaving foliage in place for the summer is crucial for ensuring your plants produce abundant, healthy flowers next year. Wait until the leaves naturally turn yellow and brown, typically in late fall or early winter, before cutting all the stems back to a few inches above the ground.
3. Clean Up & Add Mulch
Peonies are very susceptible to fungal diseases like powdery mildew, which can be transmitted through debris left on the ground. Clean up petals and any dropped leaves from the bases of your plants to reduce the spread of common peony diseases.
As you rake up and dispose of dead plant debris, you might notice that the mulch around your peonies is getting thin. Add more mulch to help keep the soil cool as summer heat sets in. This will also help retain moisture in the soil for the roots that need it as they store energy for next year.
Aim for 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm) of an organic mulch, like this one from Amazon. However, avoid covering the crown of the plant or letting the mulch touch the stems, which can lead to disease.
4. Water, If Weather Is Dry
Summer heat and drought can be damaging to plants, especially for young or recently transplanted peonies. Established peonies will survive dry spells, but for young and old alike, supplemental water supports healthy roots and better growth next year.
Consistency is key when watering peonies. They grow best and develop good root systems when the soil is moist, but not soggy. Your bushes need about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week. If it hasn't rained, give them a deep soaking once a week.
Avoid overhead watering as getting leaves wet can contribute to disease. Instead, set up a drip irrigation kit, like this one from the Home Depot that Content Editor Laura uses for her peonies and other perennials, or aim a hose at the base of your plants.
5. Feed as Needed
Peonies are not heavy feeders, but they can benefit from light fertilization at this time of year. A balanced, light application of nutrients now supports the root growth and energy storage your peonies experience during the summer.
A balanced fertilizer, like this organic 10-10-10 plant food from Espoma, is best. Avoid any products higher in nitrogen as this will promote more leaf than flower growth. A slow-release perennial fertilizer is also a good choice.
Fertilize peonies according to the instructions on the product label and water thoroughly after applying to avoid fertilizer burn.
6. Check for Pests & Diseases
June is a great time to check for any signs of pest infestation or disease on your peonies. The foliage should be lush and healthy now. Finding early symptoms now will help you manage issues before they get out of control.
Peonies have a tendency to develop fungal diseases. Look for signs of botrytis blight or gray mold, which include wilting young growth, blackened flower buds, and fuzzy gray mold on leaves and stems.
Powdery mildew looks like a white powder on leaves. Both diseases thrive in warm, humid weather. Prune off and dispose of infected leaves and stems. You can also use a fungicide spray, like this copper fungicide from Bonide, for more severe cases of powdery mildew and botrytis blight.
Ants are common on peonies, and not harmful, so don’t mind them. Look instead for thrips, aphids, and spider mites. Blast pests off with water or use neem oil or insecticidal soap, both of which are available on Amazon, for more difficult infestations.
The good news is that, despite this list of tasks, caring for peonies in the summer is mostly hands-off. With just a little support, you can stand back and let them do their thing, which is gathering and storing energy for another great floral show next year.
