Do you ever cut back peonies? If so, when is the best time? After blooming, during the summer, or late in the fall?
Peonies need those stems and leaves to function through the growing season and into fall so they are healthy enough to bloom next season.
Allowing the foliage to remain until death will help the roots collect as much nourishment as possible, through photosynthesis, and will ease the plant into dormancy.
In late fall, after frost has killed back the tops, gently remove the stems and clean away any fallen peony leaves.
