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Too late to cut peonies back?

Jackkk00Jackkk00 Posts: 2
in Plants
I have some peonies that look black and generally unhealthy. I'm aware that I should probably have cut them back in autumn but is it too late to do it now? Would they stand a better chance if I leave them or prune them? I'm a complete beginner and the plants have been there for years before I moved in so I will feel awful if I've killed them...

Posts

  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 380
    New shoots should be appearing very shortly if not already showing so should be fine to cut old leaves back.
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    Make sure you cut them. In the past I’ve pulled the dead leaves away and they’ve come away with the new bud! 
  • Jackkk00Jackkk00 Posts: 2
    Bilje said:
    Make sure you cut them. In the past I’ve pulled the dead leaves away and they’ve come away with the new bud! 
    Thank you, I will do. Should i cut them right back ? 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited 17 January
    I would cut them back to ground level. I think the usual advice if you cut them back in late Autumn is to cut them down to an inch.
    Watch out for the emerging buds ! One of mine has the tiniest bit showing.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    With the worse of the winter weather to come I would be inclined to wrap the blackened stems into a nest over the crowns of your peonies and leave until late Spring before cutting them off. I do this with lots of my perennials to give them some protection from icy conditions. Peonies are pretty tough and as yours have been in situ for several years should be OK but it will do no harm to cover them. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    If they're herbaceous peonies, the old stems are dead so you can cut them back now. As AnniD said, be careful of the new buds/shoots down at ground level - they're usually a dark red colour.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    edited 17 January
    I usually leave the dead stens until the new shoots are well through the ground; they make good markers!
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I leave the dead stems over winter to give some frost protection and as Loraine3 says, they do show where the new shoots should come through which helps when you're gaily tiptoeing through the borders with wellies on!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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